Dear friends of FEMNET,

Everywhere in the world, women experience violence in the workplace. In the low-wage sector, such as the textile industry, the risk is particularly high. This is shown in the current position paper Wages and gender-based violence (PDF file) by FEMNET for the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC). In order to better protect women and girls from violence and sexual harassment, Convention 190 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) was adopted in the middle of last year. However, it has not yet been ratified either in the EU or in the producing countries.

On the occasion of the International Day against Violence against Women on Wednesday, 25 November, our international campaign #RatifyILO190 will therefore be launched to put pressure on political decision-makers. The implementation of ILO Convention 190 must not remain an empty promise! In order to claim this together, we look forward to your participation in Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

At FEMNET's initiative, the Textile Alliance 2020 also devoted various seminars and workshops to the problem of gender-based violence (GBV) in factories. The good response shows that more and more companies are also dealing with violence in the workplace. An expert group will continue the topic in the alliance with the participation of FEMNET in the coming year.

We ask activist Kalpona Akter from Bangladesh what needs to be done in the producing countries to ensure equal and safe working conditions. Digital Speakers Tour on November 25. We look forward to your participation.

A stimulating reading wishes

the FEMNET Team

© FEMNET

Letter to Minister Heil - Germany must push ahead with ratification of ILO Convention 190

In June 2019, after long years of negotiations, the International Labour Organization (ILO) finally adopted Convention 190 against Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace. So far, however, only Uruguay and Fiji have signed the convention.

Some countries in the EU allegedly do not want to ratify the Convention for substantive reasons, according to EU circles. In doing so, they are blocking all other EU member states, as the Council must unanimously authorise the member states to sign. But can the process be stopped? What steps has Germany, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU, taken to advance the process?

Eleven NGOs have one. Open letter to Minister of Labour Hubertus Heil (PDF file) written.

Analysis and best practices on the impact of coronavirus on textile supply chains

Together with SÜDWIND and the INKOTA network, FEMNET has published a study on COVID-19 effects on the textile supply chain. The "Synthesis report: Impact of COVID-19 on the textile industry" (PDF file), by Dr. Christian Scheper (Institute for Development and Peace, University of Duisburg-Essen), based on a systematic analysis of existing reports, puts together concrete options for action and best practices for companies. The recovery options show how companies can avoid or at least mitigate negative effects of the COVID-19 crisis on workers in the supply chain and thus comply with human rights due diligence obligations.

FEMNET goes digital: School workshops now also available as webinars!

Human rights and environmental education remains relevant even in times of coronavirus. We want to support schools in integrating the topics into their educational work – even if we cannot be present on the ground at the moment.

From January 2021, we will expand our educational offerings for schools and extracurricular youth groups with digital workshops.

Our digital educational offerings in schools.

© FEMNET

Continuing Education for Speakers in Educational Work

The FEMNET education team recently realized a three-part series of events to equip the speakers working for FEMNET nationwide with new content and methodological know-how. Among other things, two new modules for university work on the topic Existence wages and transparency and a new module for school work on the subject Climate and clothing presented. The last part of the training focused on the organisation of online seminars.

More details about our trainings.