GAIA principles to end gender-based violence and harassment in commercial agriculture and fisheries

Woman harvesting citrus fruits
Contents

A framework for action

These principles are a framework for businesses to address the root causes of gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in commercial agricultural and fishery supply chains, through individual and collective action.  Grounded in existing international law and standards — including  International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 190,1  the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD Guidelines) on Responsible Business Conduct, and the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) — the principles align businesses across supply chains on the key actions needed to address GBVH, with the active support of trade unions and, where relevant, external stakeholders such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

They are intended to serve as a practical reference point for supply chain actors seeking to meet the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code and to conduct effective human rights due diligence (HRDD), making use of existing resources.

The need

GBVH is widespread and can be experienced by anyone, including men.  However, it disproportionately affects women: nearly one in three women and girls aged 15-49 will experience gender-based violence in their lifetime,2 excluding harassment. Certain groups of women and girls are at greater risk due to intersecting social characteristics such as sexuality, age, ethnicity, and ability. 

GBVH is often driven by unequal power dynamics that are created or exacerbated by workplace practices.  Workers are at greatest risk of GBVH when perpetrators know they will not be held accountable. In global supply chains, GBVH frequently goes unnoticed and unaddressed.

Gender-based violence and harassment 
As per the International Labour Organization Convention 190 (ILO C190), Article 1, a) the term “violence and harassment” in the world of work refers to a range of unacceptable behaviours and practices, or threats thereof, whether a single occurrence or repeated, that aim at, result in, or are likely to result in physical, psychological, sexual or economic harm, and includes gender-based violence and harassment; (b) the term “gender-based violence and harassment” means violence and harassment directed at persons because of their sex or gender, or affecting persons of a particular sex or gender disproportionately, and includes sexual harassment.

References

1. International Labour Organization Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No.190)...
  1. International Labour Organization Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No.190) (C190) recognises the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment. GBVH risks should be incorporated in the management of occupational safe and health. It is the responsibility of states to reflect this into national law. By ratifying C190 (Article 4), states “shall respect, promote and realize the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment. [They] shall adopt, in accordance with national law and circumstances and in consultation with representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, an inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach for the prevention and elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work”.  Available from: https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:C190 [accessed 22 Sep 2025].
  2. World Health Organization, Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates, 2018 Executive Summary (2018), p. IX. Available from: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/341338/9789240026681-eng.pdf?sequence=1 [accessed 22 Sep 2025].

Acknowledgements

These principles were co-developed with representatives from more than 90 public and private organisations as part of the Gender Action In Agriculture Initiative (GAIA)...

These principles were co-developed with representatives from more than 90 public and private organisations as part of the Gender Action In Agriculture Initiative (GAIA). Funding for this initiative was generously provided by nine companies: Aldi Süd, Asda, Co-op, Lidl Great Britain, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose & Partners. 

Thank you to Hilary Murdoch and Caroline Poole for facilitating workshops and discussions with stakeholders in South Africa and Rachel Muthoga, Esther Muhia and Lorraine Kithinji in Kenya.

Special thanks to our GAIA Advisory Group members: Stephanie Barrientos, David Bek, Caroline Downey, Julie Duchatel, Lucienne Gilmour, Sakwa Masai, Elizabeth Njenga, Wilson Odiyo, Holly Soar and a representative from Dutch Flower Group for their expertise, guidance and contributions throughout the entire development process. 

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