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In April 2022, a new initiative in the textile and footwear industry is gaining momentum. The aim is to improve the health situation of the workers. The focus is on production regions in India and Indonesia as well as opportunities for action in Germany. The organizations FEMNET e.V. and SÜDWIND Institute initiate the initiative in Germany. “From the outset, we want to take into account the needs of all relevant stakeholders. These include local workers, local trade unions and other civil society organisations. At the same time, it is important for us to involve companies, existing initiatives and supplying companies", explains project manager Lisa Carl from FEMNET.

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The joint commitment to improved complaint structures in spinning mills and the promotion of stakeholder dialogue continues. The Tamil Nadu Alliance Initiative started its second phase in November 2021. Now the main focus is on around 40 spinning mills in the four districts of Coimbatore, Dindigul, Erode and Tiruppur.

In addition to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and FEMNET, the four alliance companies Tchibo, the Otto Group, KiK and HUGO BOSS AG are once again participating in the project. As in the first project phase, the local NGO SAVE organizes the implementation on site.

Rising numbers of infections and renewed lockdowns in the Indian state caused delays. But now the project is gaining momentum and the first training sessions and factory visits could take place.

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Putin's attack on Ukraine has far-reaching consequences for the people of Ukraine, Russia and Europe. The fashion industry is also responding to the war. Thus, many fashion companies stop their business activities in Russia. At the same time, sanctions against Putin are affecting textile supply chains and textile factories in Ukraine are being destroyed by attacks.

Disclaimer: This report is based on information we have gathered from various media outlets. You can also find a compilation in our Current news update. Please note that not all information is verifiable due to the current situation.

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© SAVE, India

As part of the Textile Alliance, FEMNET has proposed to ask the Federal Government in an open letter on Women's Day on 8 March to finally ratify the ILO Convention 190 against Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace. A total of 32 alliance members, including 17 companies, have signed a letter to Minister Heil (Ministry of Labour) and Minister Schulze (BMZ).

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Putin’s cruel war in Ukraine shows us once again what destructive forces dictatorships can develop – and how important resistance is. active protection of human rights and a strong civil society are. We express our solidarity with the courageous people in Ukraine who are fighting against the violent attack and for their lives. In particular, on International Women's Day, we declare our solidarity with all women who are exposed to hardship and violence.

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© FEMNET

On 23 February 2022, the EU presented its draft pan-European supply chain law. This is a good signal for compliance with human rights and climate protection along global supply chains. In terms of the size of the companies, the EU draft is more ambitious than the German one. At the same time, there is also a lack of sufficient liability rules for companies or references to gender-sensitive measures to protect workers, especially women and girls, from exploitation and violence.

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Bonn. Mayor Katja Dörner is in a Video message of the Bonn Women's Rights Association FEMNET Congratulations on the 15th anniversary. Since 2007, the association, which is the annual partner of the city of Bonn in 2022, has been committed to improving the living and working conditions of textile workers and clarifying the background of the global clothing industry.

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© FEMNET

At the end of December, 43 member companies of the Textile Alliance published their reports on the fulfilment of their supply chain due diligence obligations. In it, they describe the measures taken so far, as well as the future line on combating Gender Based Violence (GBV). Almost all companies generally consider the risk for GBV to be high if they have production in Asia, but the measures are very different.

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© Monica Turlui - pexels.com

Save the Dates:
Tue, 01 March 2022: Home Online gallery with T-shirt artworks
Sun 24 April 2022: Exhibition and exhibition at the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum

Bonn. From Tuesday, 1 March 2022, the Bonn-based women's rights organisation FEMNET e.V. will be showing 17 unique works of art from well-known artists from all over Germany (primarily from North Rhine-Westphalia) that have been donated online. The artworks address the T-shirt as a symbol of fast-paced cheap fashion and are the culmination of the five-month solidarity and education campaign #onetshirtto live by FEMNET.

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© taoonex -pixabay.com

Solar systems on the stadium roof, less garbage with reusable dishes, the bratwurst from the organic farmer around the corner - in recent years, the commitment of professional sports to more sustainability has increased sharply. However, measures on purchasing practices and in particular on sustainable textile procurement have so far been rare.

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