Dear friends of FEMNET,

On International Women's Day, we stand in solidarity with women. Solidarity is more powerful than we think. It requires courage, but it can pave the way for change!

Nazma was married: The young woman from Bangladesh is one of so far 420 seamstresses who, since the beginning of our project #against violence in so-called Breaking the Taboo Sessions We talked about our own experiences of violence.

On International Women’s Day, together with our partner BCWS, we publish the study ‘Stop the Violence - Break the Silence. Gender-based violence in the garment sector of Bangladesh: A study on cases, causes and cures“: An explosive situation report on the situation in Bangladesh confirms that three out of four of the seamstresses interviewed have already experienced gender-based violence. At the same time, the textile industry is the largest employer in the country.

To the press release...

Workers' organisation protests against sexual harassment and violence in the workplace on 7 February 2020 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. © Taslima Akter

Sexual harassment is not only a brutal reality in Bangladesh in textile factories – globally, women in global supply chains need to be protected from assault. This requires change in minds and more responsible purchasing practices among international brand companies and their producers. In particular, the high production pressure often leads to violent behaviour towards women. There is also a lack of legislation on the state side: In Bangladesh there is no law against gender-based violence in the workplace, in India the already existing law is not implemented.

The International Labour Organisation’s Convention No 190 against Gender-Based Violence at Work, adopted in June 2019, needs to be transposed into national law in all countries. In Germany, we need a supply chain law that holds companies liable if women's rights are violated in their supply chain.

Sign the petition now...

From private consumption to politics: Let's use our room for manoeuvre. © FEMNET ⁇ Kathrin Brunnhofer

To enable those responsible to take action in Germany, FEMNET offers procurers support in sustainable purchasing. We inform young people about consumer alternatives, at universities we inform those responsible for tomorrow about their scope for action in politics and business.

We can all increase pressure on manufacturers on many levels, but we can also move politics – so that tomorrow's laws will hopefully change something for women around the world.

Get an idea of FEMNET's commitment to producing countries #SolidarityWorks

Solidarity needs courage – and that becomes easier the more we are. If you want to support FEMNET, you can support strong women and fair work as a supporting member and give us a reliable basis for our work.

Become part of our international community!

Greetings in solidarity on International Women's Day

The FEMNET team

FEMNET team on the International Day against Violence against Women, 25.11.2019. © FEMNET