Our main areas of work: The three pillars

Our work for labour and human rights for women is based on three pillars:

1. Campaigns and political participation

Through campaigns and protest actions, we mobilise the public, draw attention to grievances and put pressure on companies and politicians in order to stop exploitation and labour rights violations. That is why we are also an active sponsor of the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC)

We also negotiate with actors from politics and industry to improve working conditions for women worldwide, e.g. as member in the Textiles Partnership.

2. Education and information

The FEMNET educational projects

Our educational work at universities addresses the decision-makers of tomorrow. We inform students of fashion-related and economic subjects as well as teachers about the complex global apparel industry. We focus on labour and human rights, social and environmental standards and corporate responsibility.

With lectures, projects and events at schools, we also introduce young people to these topics.

Information and advice

We regularly organise lecture tours with workers, trade unionists and activists from the production countries, who give first-hand accounts of their experiences.

Within the scope of our project Fair Public Procurement, we advise cities and municipalities on the purchase of working clothes that meet standards of ecological, social and fair production.   

Another focus of our work is consumer information. With a nationwide Fair Fashion Guide as well as shopping guides for Bonn ("Fair, fair, fair are all my clothes") and Cologne ("Buy good stuff"), we provide tips and information on sustainable shopping and handling of clothes. 

Our poster series of the exhibition "I make your clothes! The strong women from South East Asia" portrays women workers who stand up for their rights. It also provides detailed information on individual topics.

3. For women on site: our work for solidarity

We support projects of our long-standing partner organisations in India and Bangladesh with donations. They offer legal advice, assistance, training and immediate financial aid in emergencies to workers affected by exploitation, labour law violations, violence or discrimination. Workers learn about their rights so that theya can stand up for them.

At the same time, we support our partner organisations with projects and campaign work, for example "#against violence against women textile workers" in Bangladesh and India, "#against modern slavery in Indian spinning mills" in Tamil Nadu/India, and "#Who is paying attention? Mothers and Children in Factories" in Bangalore, India.