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Women, fashion, fairness: FEMNET looks at successes for human rights in fashion

For 15 years we have been committed to a self-determined and fair working environment for women in the textile industry as well as to a just change. At the end of the anniversary year 2022, we took the opportunity not only to look back on many successful projects, but also to make our topics accessible to even more people.

The opening could not have been better: the start of the ‘small’ FEMNET anniversary was accompanied by the simultaneous start of the annual partnership with the City of Bonn, a promising collaboration for more attention to our association goals.

Gender equality, fair trade, sustainable consumption and, last but not least, fairer economic relations, based on fair wages and environmental standards, are the key points of our work. To carry these into the breadth and people also outside of so-called bubbles Achieving this is more important to us than ever. With cooperation partners such as the City of Bonn, we were able to pursue this goal continuously in 2022.

Long-term commitment has an impact

In retrospect, FEMNET can be proud of many steps with effect that further pave the way for a change towards more justice, with the involvement of those affected. Together with our partners in the Global South, we have successfully addressed the issues of violence, health and functioning complaint mechanisms. Through numerous activities, such as ‘breaking taboo’ sessions, awareness-raising workshops and building-up trainings, we were able to reach thousands of seamstresses, factory managers and supervisors.

We have consistently campaigned for years to draw attention to a devastating exploitation system in Indian spinning mills that has degraded women and young girls into modern working slaves. As a result, as well as through an initiative launched with representatives from politics and companies, it has been possible to gradually contribute to the improvement of working conditions in the textile and clothing industry in Tamil Nadu, South India, in some areas.

Indian activist visits Bonn

Structure building is often a lengthy and not always easy-to-understand process to make development cooperation sustainable. Who, if not our partners from the south, could best report on it. A highlight in our anniversary year was therefore the visit of our long-time companion Rukmini V. Puttaswamy, who was finally able to come to Germany after pandemic-related travel restrictions. The president of the only women-led union in India was a guest of honour at the anniversary gala of FEMNET and the city of Bonn in the Old Town Hall. With very personal words, Rukmini told of her career as a textile worker who could neither read nor write, to the committed and honored activist and passionate fighter for women's rights. Their history not only makes clear what the demand for transparency along the entire supply chain and more say for trade unions can actually do for thousands of women in the Global South. It also opens up a view of larger contexts, such as the importance of our campaign work.

Involvement in petitions such as #yesEUcan for an effective supply chain law at EU level and the campaign #GoodClothesFairPay Let us make the maladministration heard at the political level and insist on the need for decision-makers to address the appeals of civil society. Only a few days ago we celebrated as part of the #yesEUcan-Campaign to hand over more than 90,000 signatures to Chancellor Scholz: Together with more than 130 other organisations and the signatories, we have clearly emphasised the demand for an EU supply chain law.

New narratives

Stories not only touch, but can also set people in motion. We have therefore used new narratives this year to continue to draw attention to the precarious situation of women in the textile industry and to the devastating impact of fast-moving fashion on people and the environment. In the campaign #eintshirtto live We have created a symbolic dialogue in which we have given the seamstresses at the beginning of the supply chain space for their personal stories through video messages, to which consumers have been able to react via social media.

In addition, we have harnessed the power of visual and performing arts to lead people to FEMNET who have not necessarily addressed the backgrounds of the global fashion industry. The collaboration with renowned visual artists, who have set a sign against throwing away and for the appreciation of fashion and makers with specially made T-shirt artworks, has taken a new look at the material and ideal value of clothing. In addition, the Bonn-based Theater Ensembles Fringe presented a performance of sound and text collages, also developed exclusively for FEMNET, which turned stories of and about seamstresses into a visual and listening experience that touched in a special way.

Procurement focuses on sustainability

Many years of expertise – new target groups, this was also the sign of our consulting work, with which we have been supporting municipalities and now also companies in using their purchasing power in the procurement of textiles in line with the sustainability goals for seven years. Sounding names of top German sports, such as the Eishockeyclub Adler Mannheim or the VFL Bochum, took advantage of our holistic consulting practice for the first time, in which we conduct thorough market research and product analyses and also take supplier relationships into account. With its broad know-how in the field of fair textile procurement, FEMNET offers the private sector and the public sector the opportunity to position themselves not only with regard to sustainability management and CSR, but also with regard to business management. And that sustainable procurement management has now become the new normal in many places, FEMNET should also play a significant role in this.

Where change begins

Knowledge transfer is and remains a central part of our work, because anyone who understands the social and ecological contexts, knows the influence of companies on working conditions, or knows about the possibilities for sustainable consumption will make different decisions. It is best to do so as early as possible. Young people should become multipliers for a fair clothing industry, and we have been pursuing this goal for many years in our broad-based education projects. Since this year, another important aspect has been added with the focus on climate. Actions and workshops for students of fashion-relevant and economic studies, student initiatives and school groups as well as their teachers, but also vocational students, create the framework to develop opportunities for their own commitment. The amount of materials that FEMNET makes available for this purpose is now considerable and has just been expanded by two comprehensive action manuals for schools and universities.

Much to be achieved – much still to be done

Our vision has reached many people over the years, but we will not rest. Women in particular are hardest hit by the global crises. The feminist development policy proclaimed by the Federal Government therefore sends an important signal, but must not serve as a mere buzzword. More than ever, we will therefore stand up for gender equality at all levels and remain the critical-constructive voice that FEMNET has been and is for 15 years.

We thank all our supporters and say goodbye to the winter break, with the best wishes for peaceful holidays and a good start to the new year!