Decent Work is a key element to build fair, equitable and inclusive societies based around the principles of employment creation, workers' rights, social protection and social dialogue, and gender equality. Decent Work is about equal access to employment without discrimination. Decent Work is about a living wage for workers to allow them and their families to live with dignity. It is being free from exploitation. Decent Work means allowing people to organize themselves to represent their interest collectively through trade unions and engage in genuine dialogue as citizens and workers.

• Build awareness of Decent Work amongst the general population, decision-makers, governments and international institutions, ensuring that they understand what decent work is and appreciate its role in delivering sustainable development in both developed and developing countries;
• Fundamentally shift the policy landscape so that decision makers and opinion formers consider Decent Work a central consideration in national and international development, as well as in economic, trade, financial and social policies; and
• Show that Decent Work is the only sustainable way out of poverty and is fundamental to building democracy and social cohesion in all societies.

The campaign recently launched the Call to Action for Decent Work, Decent Life. The Call to Action will be publicised throughout the world and the signatures collected will be presented to decision-makers at key events. All people are urged to add their voice to the call for decent work by going to www.decentwork.org!

The annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign helps raise awareness about gender violence and its effects on women globally. During the 2007 campaign, MisFortune 500 will feature some of the leading stories of 2007 year that demonstrate what women continue to be up against and ways they are resisting violence and working for change.