Equality for women and Fair trade
February 19, 2018 ·
The International Women’s Day (IWD) observance on 8 March 2018 will be marked by the call ‘Gender Equality Now! Press for Progress.‘ Many women have long endured injustices. Gender equality for all should start now. This annual global action is our opportunity to discuss women and gender issues internally and organise activities to raise public awareness. This is also a good time to press law makers for more progress on women’s rights and empowerment, two important pre-conditions for gender equality.
How Fair Trade Organizations can take part
Join the call for ‘Gender Equality Now! Press for Progress.‘ Participate in our social media actions and organise your own gender equality awareness-raising activities. Read the briefing paper on IWD 2018 for recommended activities.
How Fair Trade Supporters can join
Supporters can show solidarity by participating in IWD events in your community. You can participate online, taking simple actions like learning about issues affecting women, learning about those who are making a difference, and seeing where you can contribute. You can help raise awareness on the impact of Fair Trade on the lives of women artisans and their communities by posting a picture on social media with this IWD posters and using the hashtags #GenderEqualityNow #PressForProgress
Fair Trade Organizations are spearheading the work to improve the status of women. You can support them by supporting their business. If there’s a product you are looking for, making that purchase Fair Trade is a simple contribution towards a an equal world. You can visit our Raw Materials & Product Search Engine to search Fair Trade suppliers of your products.
WFTO Asia is taking part in an exciting project called “Trade Fair, Live Fair”, along with 31 partners and co-funded by the European Commission. The purpose of the project is to foster more resilient livelihoods for the producers and workers behind many of the products that European citizens consume. WFTO Global will be taking the lead on gender equity and its relationship to the distribution of power and value in supply chains. WFTO Asia’s role is to provide research on the situation in Asia, to ensure that this perspective is present in the global report.
Our research will provide information on the existing frameworks contributing to gender equity in our 18 members’ countries. We will discuss best practices and challenges in each country and organisation, and recommend best practices and regulations that will best promote gender equity. Our members are invited to take part in the research by one of three ways: a survey by following this link, key informant interviews, or a proposed ‘virtual roundtable’. We hope to get a response which is truly reflective of the diversity of our region so encourage all members to participate. If you would like to contribute please contact Tanya at [email protected].
Fair Trade Connection— a communication agency specialized in helping fair trading organizations — visited Chiang Mai, Thailand where WFTO Asia Secretariat is located. Fair Trade experts in Chiang Mai are featured in their ‘Learn from the Best’ live interview video series. Some of the topics discussed include: Fair Trade’s role in helping refugees, responsible fashion, and the importance of digital marketing for fair trading organizations.
Click on the names to watch the respective videos:
Mitos Urgel, WEAVE
Christine Gent, Made 51
Cherry Sripan, WFTO Asia
