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The lost equality and the rights of women workers

Nearly two-thirds of women in the developing world work in unorganized economy, and most of whom work in houses, streets, and farms. Unorganized work is characterized by insecurity, weak protection, and low wages. And, even in governmental work, women remain less fortunate than men in terms of wages and the various forms of protection, despite the fact that legislations encourage equality in terms of wages and proper job opportunities.
Women's rights to equality and proper work:
Great international efforts have been made at the national and international levels to address equality and indiscrimination between the two sexes (men and women) in the right to work, but discrimination between men and women can still be found in several areas, and despite its obvious negative impacts on economic growth and work stability, the road is still long to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in work and in all human rights.
The rights of women in Egyptian law
Egyptian women are exposed to numerous images of exploitation and discrimination against them in work, which makes them more vulnerable to poverty and deprivation of employment opportunities for social and cultural reasons, despite the fact that the Egyptian legislature was careful to keep pace with the provisions of international covenants and conventions which are ratified by Egypt.
The exception of women working in the agricultural sector from legal protection
What is regrettable is that the Egyptian labor law excludes women workers in agriculture from legal protection, despite the fact that they are the ones in need of care, due to the deteriorating conditions of work in agriculture. The law excluded them from the scope of its application, and thus left these women in poor working conditions, in terms of their deteriorating conditions, and their right to wages, holidays, social and health insurance, and union work (Article 97).
Despite the fact that most women working in Egypt are working in agriculture, and despite the multiple demands to amend the provisions of the law, to protect the rights of women workers in the agriculture sector, the Egyptian government ignored all the pleadings that were made by a number of studies and civil society organizations.
In order to improve the situation of women in Egypt we must work on the following:
• Applying the Convention on Discrimination against Women to eliminate all obstacles which prevent Egyptian women from active participation, proper work opportunities, and equality.
• Reviewing laws which govern political participation, professional and worker syndicates, to provide greater opportunities for women's access to seats of trade-union committees.
• Eliminating the discrimination against rural women in labor Law No.12 of 2003.
• Integrating women in the labor and credit market, and integrating them into all development projects which are being implemented.
• Reviewing health and social insurance systems and developing them in order to ensure social, health and education protection for women working in the agricultural sector and the private sector.
• Integrating gender in all programs and activities that exist in the community.
• Providing hospitals and health units that provide free services concerning reproductive health.
• Supporting the poor families that have girls.