Gender Analysis – Asbestos Exposure Risks and Disease Impacts Asia

Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA

Title: Gender analysis – asbestos exposure risks and disease impacts Asia

Terms of Reference

BACKGROUND

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA was established in 1984 by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and is the Australian union movement’s global justice organisation. Our purpose is for Australian unions to work globally in partnership for the achievement of dignity at work, social justice, economic equality and the realisation of human rights. We work to achieve this through strong unions and social movements, sustainable development programs, global solidarity and support in times of crisis. We work through local partner organisations and unions in South East Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East and southern Africa.

Union Aid Abroad APHEDA is a global justice organisation that takes a partnership approach to development. Programs are proposed and implemented by the partner organisations, with technical and practical support from staff sometimes based in the region or from Australia.

Asbestos exposure and asbestos related diseases (ARD’s) impact both men and women. However, the impact on women in SE Asia of asbestos exposure is not well understood or highlighted. It is also not fully assessed within the current Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA “Asbestos. Not Here. Not Anywhere.” Campaign.

Mesothelioma is just one of many asbestos-caused diseases. Asbestos causes most commonly lung cancer and also causes ovarian, laryngeal cancers, and respiratory diseases such as asbestosis. Globally, it is estimated that 219 000 deaths annually can be attributed to occupational exposure to asbestos.

Occupational asbestos exposure is responsible for the vast majority of mesothelioma cases in men. For women major routes to asbestos exposure are:

1. On the job (occupational)

2. Through secondary contact such as handling a family member’s asbestos-contaminated work clothes

3. In the environment

High risk occupations for workplace exposure impact a majority men, who have a higher incidence of mesothelioma and lung cancers in general research. For example, roof sheet manufacturing and motorbike repair, construction, demolition and mining. Exceptions occur in the textile industry where a majority women are employed and production of fire protective clothing and rope etc. can contain asbestos and in the construction industry in some countries also employs a significant proportion of women. For example, Cambodia’s construction industry employs over 200,000 workers, of which an estimated 40% are women.

Regardless of the overall proportion, women workers often have fewer means to negotiate for safer conditions despite being fewer in number. Female construction workers are often in the lowest paid positions, without access to equal pay for equal work and with little voice to advocate for improved working conditions.

Risks are also for families of these workers who transfer exposure from the workplace to their homes through fibres and dust on clothes, often to women who are most likely to be expected to clean and launder. For most of the twentieth century, in high use asbestos countries (before national bans were imposed on asbestos in most of these countries) e.g. Europe, USA, Australia Japan Korea, most of the women diagnosed with mesothelioma suffered secondary exposure to asbestos years earlier.

Fibres are also transferred through the air to local communities who live near asbestos manufacturing plants. Recent research suggests both men and women are at significantly higher risk of lung cancer living near asbestos manufacturing sites with a slightly higher risk for women. In these 4 countries exposure for both women and men can also be through the common practice of re-use of old asbestos sheets in road maintenance, other buildings or fencing.

Europe and USA research suggests non-occupational asbestos exposure continues to be the most common factor in a woman’s mesothelioma diagnosis in those countries. A 2014 study conducted in Denmark’s Northern Jutland region showed nearly half of women diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma were exposed through a loved one — usually their husbands or sons. Other studies in the UK also support this finding.ⁱ

Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA has prioritized the Asbestos Not Here Not Anywhere campaign since 2017 and the management committee has approved its continuation until 2024. A mid-term evaluation in 2019 has recommended APHEDA strengthens the focus on gender and disability in the campaign. This includes a gender analysis of the impacts of ARDs in the four countries and the development of further gender outcomes and indicators, including around women’s leadership.

OVERVIEW OF NOT HERE NOT ANYWHERE CAMPAIGN PARTNERS

The campaign directly partners with 10 organisations across 4 countries (trade union, government and NGO) and through them, a further 40 organisations and individuals are active in various ban asbestos networks. The Campaign also is active and co-leading regional and global campaigns in relation to regulating and banning asbestos and reducing its exposure and consumption.

OUTCOMES OF THIS RESEARCH:

The research will have the following outcomes:

• Provide information and direction for awareness raising and advocacy in regard to different exposure, risk and experience of ARD for men and women.

• To contribute to national asbestos profiles in selected countries

• Support advocacy for banning asbestos in SE Asia

• Recommend how the campaign can better include gender perspectives on asbestos harm in activities

APPROACH AND METHOD

It is expected the analysis will explore asbestos exposure risks, related disease, economic and other impacts through a gender lens. And include:

1. Literature review and discussion including

• on asbestos exposure typically for women and men globally and in particular in the 4 countries of the campaign focus and considering occupational, environmental and secondary sources of exposure.

• Any gender differences in diagnosis, treatment and compensation access, as possible with a focus on SE Asia

• Potential differences in vulnerabilities for women in low income Asian countries with high asbestos consumption today, as compared to high income countries with high consumption last century. Focus on Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Vietnam as possible.

2. Document lived experiences of women exposed to asbestos:

• Short case studies of women from selected countries who have ARD (2-3

3. Research ideas for strengthening gender inclusion in the campaign

• Including Interviews with selected asbestos hazard campaign partners (2-4) and staff (from each country where campaign staff located) on current gender inclusion and ideas for greater integration into the campaign.

4. Recommendations

• Provide recommendations to Union Aid Abroad APHEDA on greater gender inclusion in the campaign including outcomes and indicators.

DELIVERABLES:

• A methodology, work plan, schedule and budget agreed with Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA.

• A draft report, (covering the scope, outcomes and outputs outlined above) by November 7^th 2021

• A final report (as outlined below)

• An invoice including timesheet, receipts and summary of expenses.

The final report should include the following:

• An executive summary (maximum 2 pages)

• A description of methods used (and potential limitations) (maximum 2 pages)

• Findings and discussion organised under the outcomes and addressing each outputs (maximum 15 pages)

• Conclusions (maximum 2 pages)

• Recommendations

SELECTION CRITERIA

The consultant should meet the following selection criteria:

• Strong international development or occupational health or gender in development, gender inclusion experience (at least 7 years)

• Research and analytical experience

• Ability to analyse complex issues

• Strong understanding of health and social sectors

• Ability to synthesis and communicate (speak and write) complex development concepts in English

TIMELINE: November 30^th 2021

MAXIMUM BUDGET: AUD5,000

LOGISTICS: It is expected that all work will be conducted through document review and online consultations (Zoom etc.) APHEDA will facilitate the consultants’ access to project documentation, staff and partners.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE:

• CV

• Short Written response to selection criteria

• A brief plan to include (no more than 2 pages):

• Proposed methodology

• Planning/timetable

• Budget

NB Applications without response to selection criteria and brief plan, may not be considered

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: August 7^th 2021

Please send applications to: [email protected]

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