With Paradigm Shift, FEMNET has won a new partner organization for the implementation of the project on gender-responsive health protection in India. The organisation is committed to human and labour rights and brings many years of experience in cooperation with workers, companies and political actors.
“Because each working day is stressful, I usually cry when I get home from work.” This is how a woman working in Indonesia’s footwear industry described her daily life. On the other side of Asia, a garment worker in Bangalore shared how intense production pressure affects not just her health, but her sleep and appetite.
International Women's Day 2025 is celebrated internationally. Motto #AccelerateAction It is therefore crucial to address the systemic and structural gender biases embedded in global supply chains. Women in clothing and footwear factories continue to face an increased risk of gender-based violence and health threats. Nevertheless, their specific needs are consistently overlooked in legal frameworks, corporate guidelines and workplace structures.
The Multi-Actor Partnership (MAP) on Gender and Health in the Clothing and Shoe Industry, consisting of Cividep India, TURC Indonesia, FEMNET and SOUTHWIND, seeks to address these injustices through political advocacy and worker-oriented solutions. The findings highlight the urgent need for gender-responsive occupational health and safety (G*OSH) guidelines to address both physical and mental health issues.
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On the 10th. December, the Day of Human Rights, is a special episode of Kleiderei Radio. Hosts Anna and Amelie discuss an often overlooked topic with Anthony Raju V. of Cividep (India) and Danardianingtyas Nitya S. of TURC (Indonesia): the health of women workers in the clothing and footwear industry.
On the International Day against Violence against Women, we cordially invite you to a special event: A live podcast with Kleiderei Radio and our partners from India and Indonesia. Join us and discuss!
What are the specific risks faced by women in the textile and footwear industry? And how can these be minimized? What responsibility do companies and politicians in Germany have to create fairer working conditions? These and other questions will be the focus of the upcoming Speakers Tour of FEMNET and the SÜDWIND Institute, which will take place from 20 to 28 November in Bonn, Cologne and Berlin. Four experts from India and Indonesia working in the textile sector provide insights into the health risks workers face on a daily basis – and what changes are urgently needed to improve the situation.
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In discussions about the health and safety of workers in the textile and footwear industry, gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) is rarely considered. However, a recent study by TURC in Indonesia (2023) and CIVIDEP in India (2023) shows that GBVH has a huge impact on workers' physical and mental health. But what can be done?
In order to create a more gender-sensitive system for occupational safety and health, our partner organisations Cividep (India) and the Trade Unions Right Centre (TURC, Indonesia) have each conducted a study on the specific risks for women in the world of work.
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We are aware of the poor working conditions in the clothing and footwear industry, but what can we do about it? Our new video explains how we can tackle this problem.
Trade unions, civil society organisations and factory management once again discussed experiences and obstacles at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Due Diligence Forum in the clothing and footwear sector this year.
