Friday, May 2, 2008

Mothers and Fair Trade

In our most recent newsletter, I write that May has 2 days honoring mothers -- Sunday May 11th [Mother's Day] and Saturday, May 11th [World Fair Trade Day.] There is quite a bit that could be said about Fair Trade and I hope to be writing more about it [and pointing you to other resources to learn more] as May progresses. Right now, I want to share why I feel the cause of Fair Trade is so connected with the well-being of women -- and particularly mothers -- around the world.

Women make up some 60% of the world’s working poor, defined as people who work but do not earn enough to lift themselves above the $1 per day global poverty line. And yet, in some regions of the world, women provide 70% of agricultural labor and produce over 90% of food.* Evidence shows that when women in impoverished communities do earn money, they are more likely to invest it in the well-being and education of their children than men are. And when women earn money it has other benefits as well:

When people become economically empowered, they gain political and social power. Many of the groups that we work with do more than just produce crafts; they're involved in community development, health and education. For the women we work with, the effect is even greater. As they gain employment, they become able to leave abusive situations, to seek legal assistance, to acquire education, to become independent. Their work allows them to be economically significant in the family and gives them leverage to be considered an equal .

Bob Chase, Executive Director, SERRV International

To me, the connection between the economic empowerment of women and the well-being of children is on its face obvious. That is, in my mind, the connection between Fair Trade and Mother's Day. I could not say it any better than the Women Thrive Worldwide website does: "...economic opportunity for women is so important to ending the extreme poverty that cripples communities in the developing world: because when you teach a woman to fish, everybody eats."

Except in many cases, there is no need to teach at all. Women around the world already have marketable skills in agriculture and in the handiwork they do to provide for their families. What they need is a level playing field and a fair wage for their labor. Which is what Fair Trade is about.

I hope to have time to write more about this later in the week.

Until then, I hope you are enjoying the wonderful weekend weather!

*stats from UNIFEM

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