FEMNET NEWSLETTER No. 6/2017 - December Content: Political commitment Educational and consulting work at universities News from our partners FEMNET in the media Tips & dates Disclaimer Dear friends of FEMNET, At the end of the year, FEMNET has once again launched a competition for a fair fashion industry. In the coming year, we are looking forward to the visit of guests from the production countries again in autumn. In addition, a large student conference awaits us, which we will organize in Hamburg. So you can be curious! First of all, however, we would like to wish you a contemplative Advent and happy holidays. Your FEMNET team. Campaign #WhoFits? Crèches in the textile factories of India and Bangladesh either do not exist at all or they are so bad that they do not even meet minimum requirements for child-friendly care. They are required by law. But laws are ignored. The mothers work in the factories under the harshest conditions for the livelihood of the family. For example, they are forced to have their children ‘cared for’ over many hours in the factory, in too small, bare rooms without toys and genuine speech, where for 40 children often only a single nurse or assistant comes. Support our campaign #WerPasstAuf? Political commitment Stop violence against women in the fashion industry Family, women and orphans of the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh. Photo: © FEMNET. On the occasion of 25 November, the international day on which violence against women is commemorated annually, FEMNET draws attention to structural violence in the workplace. Behind the beautiful fashion facade, women are exploited, discriminated against or sexually harassed. The situation is particularly precarious in the factories of low-wage countries such as Bangladesh or India, where women already have to reckon with the worst if they organise themselves in trade unions. Read more... Occupational clothing from child and forced labour allowed again The state government from the CDU and FDP is bringing its "unleashing package" through the state parliament in an urgent procedure - this includes, among other things, the dismantling of social standards in the public procurement of clothing. Together with other organizations, we consistently continue to demand #CleanProductsNRW. Spread our views across all channels (Facebook, Instagramm, press, etc.) and promote the petition. On the 18th In December 2017, the decisive negotiation will take place in the Economic Committee of the Landtag. Social standard reduction must not be enforced "under the radar" of the public "inconspicuously" just before Christmas. We will speak as experts at the meeting. Progress on the Textile Alliance Steering Committee of the Textile Alliance at the Klausurtagung on 23.11.2017. Photo: © Textile alliance For the first time since its three-year anniversary, the Steering Committee of the Textile Alliance met for a two-day retreat on 22 and 23 November. Gisela Burckhardt, CEO of FEMNET, represents civil society in this body together with two colleagues. In her review of the year 2017, she points out the progress but also the limitations of the work of the Textile Alliance. In 2017, each member of the alliance had to draw up a roadmap (action plans), but only a few companies were willing to publish them. As of 2018, this is a duty for everyone. The published plans made it clear that the textile alliance needs mandatory time and quantity targets for the topics to be covered. These have now been decided on the exam, this is an important step. Another success is the launch of the alliance initiative initiated by FEMNET in South India to improve the working situation of girls in the spinning mills. Read more... Educational and consulting work at universities A competition for a fair fashion industry FEMNET has launched the ‘Let’s change the fashion system!’ competition. They are looking for business ideas for a fair fashion industry. Students and graduates of universities can participate. Clothing should inspire – and not stand for forced labour and exploitation. How can fair production become the standard in the clothing industry? Which business model is more sustainable and equitable? The winners will be invited to participate in a sustainability bootcamp run by the hessnatur Foundation. More information... News from our partners Round trip southern guests: "Without international solidarity, we would be lost" Video 'Fast Fashion kills - Solidarity works!' In October 2017, our southern guests from Bangladesh impressively demonstrated to consumers in Germany what the fight for better labour rights means for trade unionists and activists in Bangladesh: In view of the threat of harassment, insult, dismissal, imprisonment and use of force, it takes a lot of courage. Kalpona Akter and Mim Akter prove this courage day by day through their work. One detailed report (PDF) summarizes the results, which Video 'Fast Fashion kills - Solidarity works!' illustrates the background and activities of the two strong women. FEMNET in the media Press review November 2017 31.10.2017: Get involved: Interview with Anne Neumann from FEMNET Pink and Green Blog 04.11.2017 Let’s change the fashion system. A competition for a fair fashion industry (Carolin Schäufele) She works NRW Unleashing Package Contradicts Laschet's Promise at Climate Summit Press portal 16.11.2017: NRW erodes public procurement law (Florian Pfitzner)New Westphalians 20.11.2017: Power Through Your Own Purchasing Power (Sina Marx)Magazine of Enorm 25.11.2017: Long road to higher wages (Hannes Koch)Mannheim's morning Tips & dates Current dates and past events can be found on our FEMNET homepage. In particular, we would like to draw your attention to the following dates: 14.01.2018: Costume swap party in BonnFEMNET and Greenpeace Bonn will host a costume exchange party on 14.01.2018 from 11:11 to 15:00 with instructions from upcycling designers to create their own costumes from old materials or clothing, Bonner Ermekeilkaserne, house 8, entrance next to the Reuterstr. 61 16. - 18.01.2018 Ethical Fashion Show in BerlinUnder the motto: Innovation and sustainability, technology and digitization will take place in Berlin for the annual Ethical Fashion Show. This year with the presentation: "View axes: audits. Fairtrade and FEMNET in conversation" with Dorothee Wirtz, Fairtrade Germany and Anne Neumann, FEMNET. Time: Wed. 17.01.2018, at 3 p.m. More information... 26.-28.01.2018: Campaign meeting 2018 ⁇ Campaign for Clean Clothes in Jena#GoTransparent: For transparent supply chains of fashion companies Solidarity with workers worldwide! The registration is made via the Online registration form. Registration deadline is Fr. 05.01.2018. Disclaimer FEMNETKaiser-Friedrich-Str. 1153113 BonnThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Tel. 0228 18038116 Board of Directors: Dr. Gisela Burckhardt, Vanessa Püllen, Susanne Kupka, Britta Amorinn, Anna Hoff Editorial team: Pamo Roth and Dr. Gisela BurckhardtResponsible within the meaning of § 5 TMG: Dr. Gisela Burckhardt Disclaimer: Despite careful content control, we assume no liability. File number VR 9568B at the District Court of Bonn. back
