LIMA (ILO News) – Historically, medicine and the management of occupational safety and health (OSH) have been designed around a male reference model, which has led to the underestimation of workplace risks that affect women and men differently.

A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Ibero-American Social Security Organization (OISS) highlights how this androcentric perspective has failed to consider both the biological differences between men and women, and the broader gender-related aspects.

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The report, entitled Occupational Safety and Health with a Gender Perspective: Challenges and Advances in Ibero-America (available in Spanish only), reveals that risk identification and prevention strategies have prioritized traditionally male-dominated sectors, overlooking the challenges faced by women in the workplace. Moreover, occupational risks in highly feminized and often undervalued sectors—such as care and domestic work—have remained largely invisible.

This lack of recognition translates into lower investment in protection measures tailored to the specific needs of female workers, increasing their vulnerability to various risks. One clear example is the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) adapted to female anatomy.

According to joint estimates by the ILO and the World Health Organization (WHO), 86% of deaths from ischemic heart disease caused by long working hours occur among men. In contrast, female workers experience higher levels of anxiety and depression, often linked to the heavy workload in highly feminized sectors such as healthcare, education, and care work.

"Women face particular challenges in the world of work, stemming from both structural inequalities and gender bias in the management of occupational safety and health", said Ana Virginia Moreira Gomes, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Furthermore, the unequal gender division of labour means that reproductive and care work falls predominantly on women, while men tend to occupy roles in productive labour. In addition, the overrepresentation of women in lower-productivity sectors such as education, healthcare, and domestic work—areas with significant decent work deficits—exposes them more acutely to psychosocial and ergonomic risks.

Gina Magnolia Riaño Barón, Secretary-General of the OISS, emphasized that "it is imperative for occupational safety and health policies to recognize the biological, social and cultural differences between women and men in order to apply effective prevention and protection measures. Only then will we be able to reduce gender gaps and promote decent working conditions for all".

The report outlines a series of key recommendations to advance the integration of a gender perspective in OSH across Ibero-America. These include gender equality training for employers and workers; gender-sensitive research; greater female representation in OSH committees; maternity protection; the establishment of protocols to address violence and harassment; and the implementation of preventive measures that account for biological differences and support work–life balance, among others.

Through this publication, the ILO and the OISS reaffirm their commitment to promoting initiatives that contribute to building safer, fairer, and more inclusive working environments in Ibero-America, advancing social justice for all.