This year I watched the 2021 Eco Artisan Awards presented by AGAATI (a fashion brand whose mission is to bring artisans and consumers together). It was refreshing and uplifting to see artisans being rewarded and celebrated for their unique talent. As part of the awards there were many interesting panel discussions.
One of the panel discussions involved Roopa Mehta, President of the WFTO - World Fair Trade Organisation. She was discussing female led enterprises and presented the following facts:
92% of enterprises reinvest their profit back into social missions
52% of those enterprises are led by women
Enterprises led by women are four times less likely to go bankrupt
85% of women sacrifice financial goals for the benefit of others
Another of the panel experts, Rebecca Van Bergen, Founder of Build A Nest, reported the following:
In the US only 0.5% of investment funding goes to philanthropic ventures
80% of philanthropic ventures are women owned/operated
If data drives decisions, based on the above facts, why aren’t women being given more financial investment to grow and scale their businesses? Why aren’t more financial incentives readily available?
Simply put, women are not seen as economic drivers which is ridiculous!.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report of 2020, none of us will see gender parity in our lifetimes, and nor likely will our children. This is a sobering thought.
I am passionate about gender equality. My aim is to challenge stereotypes, raise awareness and highlight these issues and support women working within the fashion industry’s supply chain. I intend on being part of the change that breaks the chain of inequality and exploitation that is still all too prevalent in today’s world.
Comments