Dear friends of FEMNET,

There is a reason to celebrate: 15 years of FEMNET - 15 years of tireless commitment for women's rights and better working conditions for textile workers! But that's not enough: Our anniversary is celebrated by the Annual partnership with the City of Bonn enriched in a special way. Mayor Katja Dörner is pleased with the recognition: "The issue of women's rights is very important to us in Bonn and also to me as mayor of Bonn, and the issue of fair procurement is also a major concern for the city of Bonn", she explains in her Video message.

Creating fairer economic relations, based on fair wages, solid social and environmental standards, are goals that we pursue as well as the city of Bonn. This year, we will step up our efforts to commit companies across Europe to human rights and environmental standards in their supply chains and continue our campaign work for an EU-wide supply chain law.

At the events in Myanmar see that corporate responsibility must not stop at borders: Fashion companies can stop their production in Myanmar and thus put pressure on the regime. In this way, they could ensure the protection of many seamstresses from persecution.

The production of clothing not only has a significant impact on working conditions, Clothing is also a climate killer.. ‘With our awareness-raising work, we are shaping the climate neutrality process initiated with Bonn4Future as part of the annual partnership,’ says our CEO Gisela Burckhardt. We will relaunch our Bonn purchasing guide ‘Fair Fashion – Beautiful Fashion’, explaining inhumane production conditions and showing Bonners the diverse range of fair fashion.

We will keep you informed about these and other activities with the city of Bonn on our homepage and our SOM channels.

In addition, you can now participate in our Campaign #eintshirttolife Participate. Learn more about what companies are doing to combat gender-based violence in their supply chains, or whether sustainability plays a role in sourcing in professional sports.

A stimulating reading wishes

The FEMNET team

© Monica Turlui - pexels.com

Art instead of consumption - The solidarity and education campaign #eintshirtzumleben

On March 1st, the big creative arts action starts: Upcycle T-shirt, upload photo and description of it on our website by March 31st and, with a little luck, win a work of art on April 24th! We are also looking forward to the stories of favorite T-shirts: Upload photo or video with #eintshirtzumleben on social media and thus ensure more appreciation of people and material.

All information to participate

© FEMNET

What is being done in supply chains against gender-based 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, among other things, the measures and objectives to combat Gender Based Violence (GBV). Almost all companies estimate the risk to be high, but the measures are very different. The CEO, Dr. Gisela Burckhardt, gives a detailed assessment of this in an article.

Read or download the report online now

© Myanmar now Media

Myanmar military coup marks anniversary - businesses need to build pressure

On 1 February 2021, the military couped in Myanmar, arrested the elected members of the government and took power. Thousands of people have since been arrested or even killed. Among the protesters there are also many seamstresses. The textile sector is an essential sector of the economy and a source of income for the government. Companies must use their power to act and withdraw responsibly from the country.

To the message on our website...

© FEMNET

EU Supply Chain Act: Commission announces draft for February

More than 100 companies and investors from Europe are in favour of a far-reaching EU supply chain law, which also provides for civil liability for companies. The EU Commission had postponed the project several times last year, now it is on the agenda for its meeting on 23 February. Together with the Supply Chain Act initiative, FEMNET is committed to EU regulation, as the German Supply Chain Act is not far-reaching enough.

To report on our website...

© Taoonex-pixabay

Sustainable textiles in professional sports

The feasibility study on the sustainable procurement of textiles in professional sports has just been published. It examines how top clubs procure merchandising and team sportswear and whether sustainability plays a role in this.

To the report on our website...