Celebrate Fair Trade Month: Why Fair Trade Matters
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October is Fair Trade Month, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate the impact of fair trade on artisans, producers, and communities worldwide. At HumanKind Fair Trade, we are proud to partner with wholesalers and artisan groups that align with the principles of fair trade. Let’s take a closer look at how fair trade empowers people, supports local communities, and encourages ethical production practices.
- Cultivating New Market Opportunities
Many artisans in rural and marginalized areas face challenges accessing global markets. Matr Boomie, one of our key suppliers for over 15 years, works with around 40 artisan groups in villages across India. These artisans often rely on farming for income, but Matr Boomie helps them develop products and find buyers, offering them a sustainable source of income. Similarly, Forai (Friends of Refugees and Immigrants) operates in St. Louis, Missouri, training immigrant and refugee women to create jewelry, allowing them to work from home and care for their children while earning a living.
- Building Capacity
Fair trade is not just about fair wages; it’s about building skills and providing opportunities for growth. Global Mamas, a nonprofit that has been operating on Ghana for over 20 years, provides job training in personal finance, business skills, and leadership. In 2019 alone, they trained 561 artisans, helping them develop the skills they need to thrive independently. This focus on empowerment transforms communities and creates long-term economic stability.
- Ensuring Fair Payment and Transparent Relationships
Fair trade businesses prioritize transparency and accountability. Unlike conventional manufacturing, where workers are often hidden from view, we proudly showcase our artisans and their work. Additionally, fair trade enterprises pay their artisans fairly and promptly, ensuring artisans receive 50% of the payment upfront, giving them the financial stability to complete their orders. YEWO, social enterprise located in Malawi, directly employs local artisans, paying them 2-3 times the national minimum wage.
- Supporting Safe and Empowering Working Conditions
In regions like rural Malawi, where unemployment is nearly 90%, fair trade enterprises provide life-changing opportunities. YEWO ensures safe working conditions, offering its artisans protective gear and technical training. Their employees also receive education on personal finance and leadership, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to their communities. This focus on worker safety and empowerment helps break the cycle of poverty.
- Upholding the Rights of Children
Fair trade strictly prohibits forced child labor and instead promotes education and security for children. Organizations like Bright Endeavors, located in Chicago, Illinois, focus on young mothers, offering job skills and educational support while they work in candle production. Fair trade empowers families, ensuring that children can focus on their education while their parents have reliable, ethical employment.
- Promoting Environmental Stewardship
Environmental sustainability is another core principle of fair trade. Pebble, distributed by Kahiniwalla, works in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh, where natural resources like fish and firewood are being depleted. Pebble offers an alternative to resource depletion by teaching women to crochet children’s toys, creating sustainable jobs while protecting the local environment. By choosing fair trade, you’re also supporting efforts to protect the planet.
- Respecting Cultural, Racial, and Ethnic Identity
Many fair trade artisans use traditional craft techniques passed down through generations. Matr Boomie, for example, works with leather producers in India who once relied on making shoes but now craft beautiful leather journals. These artisans are preserving their cultural heritage while creating products that are in demand. Fair trade respects and uplifts diverse cultural identities, providing artisans with the opportunity to honor their heritage through their work.
Why Fair Trade Matters
Fair trade goes beyond just providing fair wages; it’s about creating opportunities, building skills, supporting safe working environments, and promoting environmental stewardship. By shopping at HumanKind Fair Trade, you’re supporting these principles and contributing to a global movement that empowers individuals and communities.
This Fair Trade Month, we invite you to celebrate the impact of your purchases and continue to support the artisans and producers who make it possible. Together, we can make a difference.
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