Blog by Elizabeth Peterson, Soroptimist of the Americas North Atlantic Region Governor, Connecticut Shoreline Club.
Women in Supply Chains and Labour Rights
UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), 16 March 2026; Trade Union parallel event with speakers from Spain and Senegal
Global supply chains depend on the seamless movement of goods, yet the women who sustain these systems particularly in transportation, logistics, and manufacturing continue to face inequities in pay, safety, and working conditions. As multinational companies expand their reach, the responsibility to uphold fair labor standards across all levels of production, including subcontracted workforces, has become increasingly urgent. These supply chains are not just economic systems; they are human systems, and their effectiveness depends on how well they protect and value their workers.
Women are often overrepresented in lower-paid and less secure roles within sectors such as garment production, care work, and certain areas of logistics. Despite their essential contributions, they frequently encounter discrimination, including unequal pay for equal qualifications and workloads. There has been equal pay solutions implemented in Ghana‘s public sector for people with the same qualification and same volume of work. Maternity discrimination, limited advancement opportunities, and unsafe working environments further compound these challenges. In some cases, women also face unjust legal consequences, including imprisonment that disproportionately impacts those with family responsibilities.
Trade unions play a critical role in addressing these inequities. Organizations such as Unison European with its 1.3 million women members, demonstrate the power of collective action in advocating for fair wages, the right to strike, and improved labor protections. Across Europe and beyond, unions help amplify women’s voices in sectors where they have historically been marginalized, pushing for accountability within global supply chains.
Human rights risks are particularly evident in industries reliant on subcontracting, such as freight and garment production, where oversight is often weakest. At the same time, examples from conflict and developing regions highlight additional dimensions of inequality. In Ukraine, for instance, women’s unpaid caregiving especially during crisis underscores the invisible labor that sustains societies but is rarely recognized or compensated. These disparities reveal the need for systems that formally acknowledge and support all forms of work.
Research into organizational effectiveness and human performance further reinforces that fairness is not only ethical but also practical. Workplaces that prioritize equity, safety, and inclusion tend to see stronger performance and productivity. Women, who often demonstrate high levels of resilience and overperformance, are seeking not just employment, but decent work including jobs that provide dignity, security, and opportunity.
Reimagining supply chains through a gender lens requires more than policy statements; it demands structural change. Multinational corporations must take responsibility for labor conditions throughout their networks, governments must enforce equitable labor laws, and unions must continue to advocate for workers’ rights. Ultimately, building fair and resilient supply chains depends on recognizing that empowering women is not just a moral imperative, it is essential to the sustainability and success of the global economy.
