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Fact sheet: The Dindigul Agreement to End Gender-Based Violence and Harassment

In April 2022, the first legally binding convention on gender-based violence in Asia was signed with the Dindigul Agreement. H&M is also one of the signatories, along with PVH, GAP, Tamil Nadu Textile and Common Labour Union (TTCU), and local supplier Eastman Exports. The agreement received a lot of attention from the press and media, who spoke of a ‘Landmark Agreement’.

Gender-based violence is a widespread problem in production facilities in the textile industry. In early 2021, 21-year-old Jeyasre Kathiravel, who worked at Natchi Apparels, a factory of Eastman Exports, was murdered. The young woman belonged to the lowest group of the Hindu society (Dalit). In response to the murder, colleagues and other women joined forces in the Justice for Jeyasre campaign. They successfully demanded change. Because the goal of the Dindigul Agreement is to put an end to gender-based violence at Natchi Apparels. For this purpose, training courses will be offered and internal complaint mechanisms (ICC and shopfloor monitors) will be established. In addition, women, especially Dalit, are to be promoted to management positions. The agreement is named after the region of the same name in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

extent: 4 pages
reference: The factsheet on the Dindigul Agreement is available at Download on the website of the Textile Alliance (PDF file)