On May 1st we celebrate International Workers' Day all over the world; we celebrate the achievements that the working class has made, the history of their struggle for better working and living conditions with dignity.  A struggle that took the lives of many workers in history, and thanks to which we can live a different reality and have a better future.

Despite their sacrifices and struggle, and despite the different steps that labour laws have taken in favour of the working class, the reality of young workers remains the same and they continue to suffer from long working hours, low wages that do not compensate for their working hours, lack of access to social protection and precarious working conditions.

On Thursday 23^rd February, more than 140 participants joined the webinar on “Future opportunities and challenges for the Social and Solidarity Economy” which was organized by INSPIR/WSM, RIPESS, WEIGO and the IYCW. We first discussed the future challenges for the different SSE actors (civil society, trade unions, small scale SSE collective and cooperative producers and employers, ILO and other UN institutions, states, regional bodies, local authorities). These discussions were based on the 2022 International Labour Conference’s General Conclusions and the International Labour Organization Action Plan.

First, we asked participants to define the Social and Solidarity Economy with one word. The answers were: “humanity, solidarity, democratic economy, social purpose, sharing of wealth, contributory, human centered, reparative, collective ownership, sustainable, possible, community, non-profit, economic sustainability, post-capitalist, cooperation, principles, equality, values, alternative, future, support, just, co-construction.”

For so long women have been exploited, discriminated, harassed, and oppressed in the factories, houses and societies, and looked at as fragile, weak and vulnerable beings who are only meant to stay at home and look after their family.

But the truth is that women are a crucial part of the social, political and economic development all over the world. Their role in the different parts of history can’t be hidden, because the struggle of women for dignity, equality and equity at workplaces and in societies around the world is not a new trend.

Today we women are continuing the struggle of these activist women who left their mark throughout history. We are fighting in the footsteps of all those who have already achieved so much for us: women workers, trade unionists, suffragettes, scientists, housewives, students - women who revolted!