Solidaridad Asia’s Post

🌟 Exciting Partnership Announcement! 🌟 Starting this month, RISE and UN Women Asia and the Pacific are joining forces to tackle gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in the textile supply chain in Tamil Nadu, India. This collaboration aims to create a safer, more equitable work environment for garment, footwear, and home textile workers. https://lnkd.in/dT5cU_vk Here's how we're making a difference: 🏭 Factory Interventions: RISE will continue delivering its Respect program with local partners, focusing on training workers and managers to understand gender dynamics and develop shared strategies for GBVH prevention and remediation. Over 23,000 workers in India have already benefited from this program, reporting increased self-confidence and communication skills. 🏡 Community Programs: UN Women will collaborate with local NGOs to build awareness and promote positive behavior change in communities around factories. These programs will address social norms and practices that perpetuate GBVH. 🏢 Institutional Engagement: UN Women will leverage its convening power to bring stakeholders together, ensuring GBVH remains a priority on the legislative and policy agenda. This includes working with government actors and unions to create an enabling environment for ending violence against women. “Violence and harassment in global supply chains extend beyond workplace incidents. Our partnership with UN Women enables us to extend our impact beyond factories,” says Christine Svarer, RISE’s Executive Director. “We look forward to leveraging our expertise and networks to scale up efforts and embed new ways of working, aiming for a future where no one in the garment industry fears harassment and violence at work.” RISE members working in Tamil Nadu can join this partnership to adopt a comprehensive and sustainable model for addressing GBVH. By integrating efforts across factories, communities, and institutions, we can create a holistic approach to tackle this issue. Contact Isadora Loreto, Manager for Respect, for more. #GenderEquality #GBVH #TextileIndustry #RISERespect #UNWomen #TamilNadu #SustainableWorkplace #WorkplaceSafety

The RMG (Readymade Garments) sector in #Bangladesh is not only one of the most critical industries for generating employment, but also one that is in urgent need to transition to more sustainable practices. Intellecap's circularity initiative, CAIF, is a key partner to Oporajita - Collective Impact on Future of Work. This collaboration has made it possible for women like Majeda Khatun and many others in the RMG sector to become empowered in building skill sets that will provide them job security and a better understanding of incorporating circular practices at their place of work. To know more about Majeda's journey, read the Aavishkaar Group Impact Report: https://lnkd.in/dacA3Swx #AavishkaarImpact #circulareconomy

In the heart of Bangladesh’s bustling cities and rural landscapes alike, the textile industry serves as more than just the backbone of the economy; it’s a vital thread in the fabric of women’s empowerment. This article delves into how the textile and garments industry has become a catalyst for transforming women’s roles in society, providing them not just with employment, but with pathways to independence, leadership, and socio-economic empowerment.

There is nothing more satisfying than driving actual impact through creating jobs and improving the environment. Our initiative Oporajita - Collective Impact on Future of Work is creating sustained livelihood opportunities for out-of-work women garment workers by building the capacities in circular jobs and circular micro-entrepreneurship models. Interventions are designed to support both the out-of-work women garment workers as well as the SMEs within the garment manufacturing and allied sectors. Thus far we have engaged with over 50 SMEs within Bangladesh, trained over 1300 out-of-work women garment workers, of which we enabled the entry of over 820 women garment workers back into the workforce. More so, the incomes of each of these upskilled / re-skilled women workers have improved by an average of 8 - 15%. So far, we have also trained 140+ entrepreneurs on circular business models. Read more about our impact: https://ow.ly/6R1V50PJ9gx Saurabh Dey Dhiman Halder Shruthi Suripeddi Venkat Kotamaraju Ainee Islam Md. Mostafa Sorower Ahnaf Tahmid The Asia Foundation ygap iDE Bangladesh Swisscontact CARE Bangladesh LightCastle Partners WaterAid Shimmy Technologies, Inc. H&M Foundation Oporajita - Collective Impact on Future of Work, supported by H&M Foundation - involves 11 organizations that are implementing interventions for out-of-work women garment workers on developing skilling and career mobility, creating enabling environments in their communities, and safeguarding livelihoods through increasing the competitiveness of the RMG sector in Bangladesh

New Webinar Format for Serious Fashion Industry Folks: "Unveiling the Hidden Crisis: Gender, Caste, and Climate in India’s Supply Chains" Join us on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, for a powerful, eye-opening session on the often overlooked intersections of gender, caste oppression, and climate impact within India's (fashion) supply chains. If your brand or organization is committed to human rights due diligence (#hrdd) and #socialjustice, this is a unique opportunity to dive into the realities that lie beyond traditional frameworks and generic MSIs and INGOs do not offer. Date & Time: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Berlin time (GMT+1) 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM IST (GMT+5:30) Key Topics: Unpacking gaps in human rights due diligence frameworks, including India’s schemes and intersections with CSDDD, CSRD, and more. The overlooked role of caste in India's supply chains and its critical impact on labor rights. Gendered vulnerabilities in a climate-impacted workforce. The invisible ties between environmental degradation and social oppression. Strategies for brands, NGOs, and civil society to foster resilience and equity in supply chains. 🎤 Featuring: A guest expert with direct experience in these intersectional challenges, providing actionable insights that go beyond compliance. Who Should Attend and is Invited: If you're in #sustainability, #CSR, #humanrights, or #ethicalsourcing this session is for you. Whether you're from a fashion brand, NGO, or advocacy organization, gain insights and strategies that traditional HRDD practices often overlook. Why Attend: Move beyond compliance - connect with others, learn to embed nuanced, actionable approaches for climate resilience and social equity. Pricing: Comrade Tier: €0.00 Brand Tier: €99.00 Global North NGO Tier: €49.00 Register and book here: https://lnkd.in/et5iigiJ Please help me spread this as this is not supported or financed by any public or private funds. As usual, a major part of sales goes to my GS partners. #webinar #fashionindustry #sustainability #unsustainability #sourcing

ZERO : This is what Textile Industry Coalition (TIC) stands for! JOIN US NOW!! Convened by UN Women India, TIC is a a multi-stakeholder industry initiative, comprising of government, brands, factories, industry bodies, trade unions and civil society organizations to ensure ZERO TOLERANCE towards sexual harassment and violence against women and girls in textile supply chain and linked communities in Tamil Nadu. Funded by the European Union, H&M and TARGET , TIC is led by the Departments  of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment; Handlooms, Textiles & Khadi as well as Labour and Employment, Government of Tamil Nadu and is implemented by Sakshi Thanking and congratulating TIC's Steering Committee Chair ( Tmt Geetha Jeevan, the Hon'ble Minister for Social Welfare & Women Empowerment, Government of Tamil Nadu; Co Chairs ( Tmt. Jayashree Muralidharan, IAS, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Jayashree Muralidharan as well as Tmt. Amuthavalli, IAS, Secretary Department of Handlooms, Textiles & Khadi for guiding and endorsing the industry wide plan of action developed and presented by the members comprising of representatives from H&M (Nikesh Raj Sundar Senthilnathan Hari Kumar Nair Sowmya V ); KPR MILL LIMITED ( Thangavel K) Asian Fabricx Pvt Ltd (Makesh R); TIRUPPUR EXPORTERS' ASSOCIATION (V. Elangovan Kumar Duraiswamy C.L) Southern India Mills’ Association ( HEMA MOHANKUMAR) ; Labour Progressive Federation (Bhoopathy), All India Trade Union Congress ( Sasikala); NATIVE MEDICARE CHARITABLE TRUST ( A.S. Sankaranarayanan)and Centre for Social Education and Development ( Nambi) as well as District Social Welfare Officers (Coimbatore, Dindigul, Erode, Karur, Tirupur and Namakkal ) built on the principles of shared responsibility and accountability. Also thanking representatives from BSR (Isadora L. Rohini Chandrasekaran) Catalyst Inc. Upfront ( Shaonli Chakraborty) Ethical Trading Initiative (Rana Alok Singh Fair Wear Foundation (MOUSUMI SARANGI) International Labour Organization (Michiko Miyamoto, Vaibhav Raaj) with local and global expertise in the areas of worker’s rights for contributing their insights. While expanding its membership base, TIC’s action plan is being implemented with targeted interventions at the levels of government & brands, factories and communities ranging from strengthening policies and practices, building capacities of government and industry wide stakeholders to addressing discriminatory norms and practices including engaging with men and boys.  Delphine Brissonneau Susan Jane Ferguson Kanta Singh Omang Rai Narang UN Women Asia and the Pacific #textilebrands Women’s Empowerment Principles

Fashion folks sourcing in India! Join us on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, for a quick and necessary dive into the intersections of #gender, #caste oppression and #climateimpacts within India’s supply chains. This session is designed for anyone working in #HRDD, #sustainability, #ethicalsourcing or related fields. If you’re sourcing from #India and aren’t familiar with India's own #NationalGuidelinesOnResponsibleBusinessConduct (among others...), this is a must-attend! Date & Time: Berlin: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (GMT+1) IST: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM (GMT+5:30) Why Attend? ✅ Learn how India’s policies align with global frameworks like CSDDD and CSRD to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy. ✅ Understand caste and gender vulnerabilities in labor rights and climate resilience. ✅ Get actionable insights that go beyond traditional compliance and generic MSIs. 🎤 Featuring a guest expert with lived experience, delivering real-world perspectives. Pricing: Comrade Tier: €0.00 Brand Tier: €99.00 Global North NGO Tier: €49.00 Register here: https://lnkd.in/et5iigiJ 🛠 Let’s clarify where local and global frameworks align - without creating more bureaucratic monsters. Support this independent session and its mission of funding grassroots partners! #HRDD #Sourcing #India #Sustainability #FashionIndustry

The Current Status and Future of Female Workers in the Textile Industry: A Picture of Data and Possibilities Bangladesh’s textile and RMG industry is a key pillar of the economy,generating nearly 55 billion USD in 2023.Behind this success are around 4 million workers,65%-75% of whom are women.But what is the situation of female workers on this success platform?How can they play a more important role in the future? Wages & Living Standards: The average monthly income of female workers is 9,000-12,000 BDT. However,65% of female workers fail to maintain a minimum standard of living. Female workers earn 10%-20% less than male counterparts. Working Hours and Workload: 70% of female workers work 10-12 hours a day,often without proper overtime compensation. Workplace Environment and Safety: 40% of factories fail to ensure a safe environment. 35% of female workers face sexual harassment&mental stress.Only 25% receive maternity leave. Economic Empowerment: Women’s participation in the textile sector has increased rural poor families’ income by 20%. 70% of female workers influence financial decisions in households. Future Prospects for Female Workers: Skill Development & Technology: The 4th Industrial Revolution will reduce demand for unskilled labor by 25% by 2030. Technical training&digital skill development are essential for women. Sustainable Garment Production: The demand for sustainable garments increased by 30% in 2023.Female workers can play a crucial role in eco-friendly garment production. Increasing Women in Higher Positions: Only 5%-7% of female workers hold managerial positions.Leadership training programs are needed. Opportunities for Entrepreneurship: Women in the textile sector are increasingly inclined toward entrepreneurship.With easy access to loans, female entrepreneurs could increase by 20%-30% in the next 10 years. Solutions:How to Brighten the Future of Female Workers? Eliminating Wage Disparity:Enforce labor laws & wage reviews to ensure equal pay. Women-Friendly Workplace:Implement policies for day-care facilities, maternity leave & safe work environments. Skill Development and Training: Introduce technical & technological training programs for women. Changing Social Perceptions: Launch awareness campaigns to promote a positive societal attitude toward working women. Female workers in Bangladesh’s textile industry are the driving force behind the nation’s economic growth. Ensuring a safe work environment & skill development will strengthen the country's textile sector. It’s time for the government, industry owners & international buyers to create a roadmap for the future development of female workers. Farhana Afroze #WomenInTextiles #GenderEquality #WomenEmpowerment #BangladeshTextiles #SustainableFashion #WomenInBusiness #FutureOfWork #TextileIndustry #RMG #EmpoweringWomen #WorkplaceEquality #LeadershipDevelopment #WomenEntrepreneurs #SkillsDevelopment #EqualPay #TextileWorkers #Industry4_0 #farhanashraboni #farhanaspeech

𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 In the Monastir region of #Tunisia, where 85% of textile workers are women, the relentless demands of fast fashion take a toll on both physical and social well-being. These women, often enduring grueling conditions, are the backbone of a global industry that prioritizes speed and low costs over human rights. With underage girls working alongside them, their stories of resilience amid exploitation shed light on the urgent need for reform in the fast fashion supply chain. As the textile sector booms with exports, it's crucial to ensure that progress doesn't come at the expense of these women's rights and dignity. 👗 🔗 https://shorturl.at/a69wj

Women : ARE YOU INVESTING IN SELF More than a hundred women gathered in the auditorium for the 2024 Women’s Day celebration at SKF, Pune Factory. Sumit Mitra, Director Lubrication & Seals had a novel way of connecting with the folks by evoking the names of luminary women in history who were from Maharashtra. Starting with Ahilyabai Holkar to Leela Poonwala he talked of these great women and their achievements in times when “Diversity and Inclusion” was not in vogue. Soon after was a touching tribute to his mother by Sajid Pathan, the General Secretary of the union – a lady from Solapur region who got herself educated to be a Post Graduate teacher and then went on to be a politician. The theme for the International Women’s Day 2024 is Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress. As I sat listening to the speakers who narrated the achievements of women and connected it with the theme for this year the relevance became evident. Invest in Women and it will Accelerate Progress. There is no doubt in the power of women and it always drives progress in families, society and nation at large. There are numerous examples all around us. But the important question here is – WHO HAS TO INVEST in WOMEN. My premise is that more than anyone else it’s the Woman Herself who has to Believe and Invest in Self. There begins her own progress and she will surely find someone around to invest in her in the journey. Let me enumerate a few critical aspects in which every woman should continuously invest in – ·      Physical Health & Wellbeing ·      Knowledge and Skill Enhancement ·      Managing Money and Investments ·      Building Healthy Relationships Look around and we will see that in every walk of life Women who invest in themselves, progress and lead to progress in their ecosystem. Investment by others will not lead to real progress but it will only have short term benefits. This Women’s Day my call to all women is – DECIDE TO INVEST IN YOURSELF. #empoweringwomen #leadership #inclusion #progress #diversity #womenatwork