Femnet e.V.

Content:

• Political commitment
• Fair public procurement
• News from the association
• FEMNET in the media
• Tips & dates
• Disclaimer

Dear friends of FEMNET,

We started the year with a great success: After a worldwide signature campaign against Primark, in which we also handed over signatures, the discounter now wants to disclose its supply chain.

So we are optimistic about the new year and hope for many more improvements for women in the textile industry.

Have fun reading,

Your FEMNET team.

Political commitment

Handing over signatures to Primark for greater transparency is a great success
Signatures handed over to Primark in Bonn on 03.02.2018. Photo:© FEMNET e.V.	On February 3, 2018, FEMNET together with other activists handed over a golden gift box with 70,000 signatures to the low-cost manufacturer Primark in its branch in Cologne. We pointed out that Primark should be transparent about its supply chain and disclose the names of its suppliers. There were also actions in other cities in Germany, Europe and even Hong Kong. This action was a complete success! On February 7th, three working days after our promotion, Primark published its supplier list. We note: Public pressure is working! Thank you to all who have supported us in this. The detailed report on our homepage Press release in the CSR News
The downsides of the boom – Myanmar activists report labour rights violations in the new model country of investors
Trade unionist Myo Myo Aye of Solidarity for Trade Union Myanmar (STUMM). Photo: © FEMNET	‘Made in Myanmar’ is increasingly on the labels of trousers, shirts and jackets. The textile industry in the country is booming, global brands such as Adidas or H&M have production in the Southeast Asian state – under questionable conditions. At the invitation of FEMNET, labour rights activists reported on the downsides of Myanmar, a model country praised by investors, in front of more than 30 interested parties in Bonn on 22 February 2018 at the German Development Institute (DIE). Read more...
FEMNET supports new ILO convention
	In mid-February, a campaign was launched by the trade unions for an ILO convention against gender-based violence in the workplace, which we support as FEMNET. In line with this, we have FEMNET calls against gender-based violence in the workplace formulated and published. More information about the campaign 23 Days - STOP Gender-Based Violence at Work.
New campaign #WerPasstStarts
	Our campaign has started: We have contacted five companies (H&M, C&A, Primark, Cecil, Zalando) because their suppliers in Bangalore do not offer adequate childcare with qualified staff. Because good care is lacking, children are either locked up at home while the mothers are working or the mothers cannot work and have great financial difficulties. Companies have until the end of February to respond. If you want to support us, you can request the two factsheets that we have created for this purpose from us and distribute them among friends. We will keep you informed. Information about the campaign #WhoFitsUp?

Active, active, CCC Action Meeting ....

CCC Action Meeting 2018. Photo: © Campaign for clean clothes.

More than 50 activists, one goal: Appreciable working conditions for all workers in clothing production! From 26 to 28 January, the campaign for clean clothing took place in Jena. FEMNET was represented with Womanpower - members of the association, activists of the Bonner FairQuatschen-Group, board members and employees took advantage of the opportunity for content exchange and the important networking with Contributors of other groups and organizations The Clean Clothes Campaign.

After the important review of achievements in 2017, the focus of the meeting was above all on the practice and planning for actions in 2018. Current issues remain #International solidarity, #SalaryTo Life, #Alliance of Texil, #ChangeYourShoes, #WhoFits, the #Bangladesh-Accord and #GoTransparent. We practiced working with action theatre, mobilization videos and adbusting. If you want to become active yourself, but have not made it to the action meeting, you will find numerous great suggestions in the Action ABC on the new and in Jena much acclaimed website of the campaign for clean clothes.

Fair public procurement

FEMNET is looking for municipalities, administrative (higher) schools and fair trade control groups

An increasing number of municipalities are actively promoting fair public procurement – products purchased from tax funds should not be made with exploitation. In addition to Bonn and Cologne, FEMNET has been advising Stuttgart and Mannheim since 2018 on the integration of environmental and social sustainability standards into the procurement processes of clothing and shoes. Not only in large cities do the administrations buy textiles such as fire brigade uniforms, professional clothing for lifeguards and cooks or work and safety shoes for cemetery gardeners and zookeepers. We are specifically looking for small and medium-sized municipalities, who want to procure professional clothing, textiles or shoes in 2018 and 2019 and pay attention to dignified working conditions in production!

In addition, from 2018 we also offer Workshops for current and future employees in public administrations at vocational schools and colleges. Interested lecturers and teachers can include our offer in their courses. Details of our offer can be found in our new flyers (PDF file), which we are also happy to send you.

Many places in Germany have the title Fairtradetown purchased – however, they are still a long way from procuring dignified clothing. Fairtradetown steering groups that want to take targeted action on the subject of fair public procurement, we also offer a new accompaniment. Especially in view of the Disastrous decisions of the CDU-FDP state government in NRW We want to support Fairtrade-engaged people nationwide with our know-how.

News from the association

Exhibition "I'll make your clothes" – now as a series of posters

The exhibition ‘I make your clothes’ was extended by a poster version in 2017. Framed in action days, school events, workshops, trade fairs and many other offers, the exhibition enjoyed a high level of attention thanks to the expanded educational material. A highlight was the tour in October with an activist from Bangladesh portrayed from the exhibition.

The ten posters can be purchased from FEMNET for 25 euros plus around 10 euros of packaging and shipping.

Who is for the Purchase of posters or for renting the travelling exhibition interested, please feel free to find out more...

Changing clothes instead of buying intoxication! Fair dressed!

Under this motto, the FEMNET regulars' table FairQuatschen, together with Greenpeace Bonn, held a dress swap party on 14 January 2018 in good tradition – this time of a special kind: In keeping with the fifth season, carnival costumes could be exchanged and worn-out costumes made fit for the new season.

It took place in a cozy atmosphere, with homemade cakes, particles and biscuits, coffee and tea and sponsored by FoodSharing. The highlight was our two upcyclers, Julia and Sezen, who repaired, changed, adapted and helped out with individual ideas. Thanks to their great commitment, a small bee can fly out happily again this year.

It turns out that there is not always a need for something new! The exchange of clothes saves resources and money, is also fun and brings people together. With a good dose of creativity, unique costumes can be created.

Host was the Ermekeilkaserne, whose premises we could not only use, but our hosts stood us aside with advice and deed.

FEMNET in the media

Press review winter 2017/2018

27.11.2017: FEMNET: Stop violence against women in the fashion industry
Bonn Sustainability Portal

01.12.2017: Beaten, fired and outlawed
Metal newspaper

15.01.2018: It should be uncool to buy a cheap shirt at Primark that I throw away after wearing twice
Vreni Jäckle, Edition F

15.01.2018: ‘Fast fashion is a very dangerous trend’ – interview with Barbara Meier
Blog Fashion Fair Work

03.02.2018: Dress flea market for a good cause in Rellingen
Hamburger Abendblatt

05.02.2018: Textile supply chain: Primark follows NGO call
CSR News

08.02.2018: Hard time limit for going to the toilet
Pinneberg daily newspaper

19.02.2018: Women's clothing market as a crowd-puller
Pinneberg daily newspaper

Tips & dates

Current dates and past events can be found on our FEMNET homepage.

In particular, we would like to draw your attention to the following dates:

Save the date:
15 and 16.11.2018:
Student Conference of 'Studying Fashion, Taking Responsibility' in Hamburg; More information will follow.

21.04.2018:
FEMNET General Assembly in Bonn.

Disclaimer

FEMNET
Kaiser-Friedrich-Str. 11
53113 Bonn
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel. 0228 18038116

Board of Directors: Dr. Gisela Burckhardt, Vanessa Püllen, Susanne Kupka, Britta Amorinn, Anna Hoff

Editorial team: Pamo Roth and Dr. Gisela Burckhardt
Responsible within the meaning of § 5 TMG: Dr. Gisela Burckhardt

Disclaimer: Despite careful content control, we assume no liability.

File number VR 9568B at the District Court of Bonn.