FEMNET Statement on International Women's Day 2022 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. Details Published: 07 March 2022 Read more …
© FEMNET EU Supply Chain Act: Not consistent enough for ‘large litter’ 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. Details Published: 24 February 2022 Read more …
© FEMNET Reports of companies in the Textile Alliance on "Gender-Specific Violence" 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. Details Published: 11 February 2022 Read more …
© taoonex -pixabay.com Sustainable textiles in professional sports: A Feasibility Study Examines the Purchasing Practices of Top Clubs 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. Details Published: 08 February 2022 Read more …
© FEMNET I Stefan Klübert Berlin has a fair response Berlin has high demands on sustainable criteria in public textile tenders. Theoretically. But how can this be put into practice? FEMNET accompanied the city of Berlin in the process for one year. Details Published: 27 January 2022 Read more …
Student project – Accompanying publication of the conference “It’s time to act – Acting for a socially fair fashion industry” In the Department of Textile and Clothing Technology at Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, the interdisciplinary 5. Semester project an integral part of teaching. In the winter semester 2021/22, the students were commissioned to design an accompanying publication to the student conference ‘It’s time to act – Acting for a socially fair fashion industry’. Details Published: 24 January 2022 Read more …
© Anna Döking From glass customer to glass supply chain: Thematic series on transparency in trade successfully concluded The longer and more complex the supply chain, the higher the risk of maladministration and infringement. A prime example of this are textiles: According to the Global Slavery Index, garments are among the imported products with the second highest risk of human rights violations within global supply chains. Until a T-shirt hangs in the stores, it travels up to 20,000 kilometers; 100 steps alone are necessary for production. As part of a cooperation project, FEMNET worked on these topics in four different series of events in 2021. Details Published: 24 January 2022 Read more …
Protection of human rights postponed: Brussels pushes EU supply chain law on the long bank - European civil society protests at EU Commission The Supply Chain Act for Germany has been adopted since June 2021 and finally holds German companies accountable. Now, an EU supply chain law is the next step in protecting human rights and the environment in supply chains. However, there have been delays here for months. "It is very worrying that the business lobby in Brussels seems to be trying to gain time to prevent or postpone an EU supply chain law. Now the traffic light coalition must show that it is serious about what it promised in the coalition agreement. A strong EU supply chain law would also improve the protection of women's rights in the garment supply chain," said Gisela Burckhardt, FEMNET CEO. FEMNET therefore supports the open letter of the European Supply Chain Initiative to the European Commission. Details Published: 09 December 2021 Read more …
The EU Supply Chain Act must be gender-responsive The European Coalition for Business Justice and 60 civil society organisations have sent an open letter to EU Commissioners and other policy makers calling on them to make the future human rights and environmental due diligence legislation of companies gender-sensitive. The open letter to the European Union of 29 November 2021 (PDF file) Details Published: 30 November 2021 Read more …
Sustainability is not in vain. Pricing of sustainable textiles in procurement by large consumers The study ‘Sustainability is not in vain’ has just been published. It provides information on the background and pricing of sustainable workwear and flat linen. A worthwhile read! Details Published: 24 November 2021 Read more …