Rio, February 20, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Data gathered by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) for the 2001 Union Survey demonstrate that women's participation in unions is still inferior to their importance on the labor market, whether it be in union membership or on union executive boards.

According to the IBGE, female presence among union members is stronger in urban labor unions than in rural labor unions. Regional differences are irrelevant, except in the Northeast region, where, in 23% of the unions, women constitute more than 60% of the membership.

Female participation on union executive boards does not include the most important posts of president. Among union presidents, only 10% are women. (DAS)