UK-based fashion retailer Marks and Spencer (M&S) and other brands such as Levis, Mothercare and Superdry powered a seminar stressing on Gender Equality co-supported by British High Commission. The event took place at The Park Hotel in New Delhi.
Notably, the initiative was launched in 2016 to promote Gender Equality at workplace in the Indian garment factories.
Although the industry provides employment to 45 million people, contributing 4% to GDP and 17% to total export earnings of the country, the working conditions in the sector can pose challenges, especially affecting the 60% of workers who are women.
On 4th October, 2018, the British High Commission and partners launched Phase II of the initiative.
Through the programme, which focuses on raising awareness among garment factory workers on gender issues and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, 15,500, workers are made aware of legal provisions and have been trained to educate fellow employees also.
Markedly, 270 peer trainers of the programme have trained across 11 factories on the rights of the aggrieved woman.
Nidhu Dua, Country Manager of Marks and Spencer, has proactively endorsed the programme in India. Starting with two factories with 12 workers, she has now established employment to 12,000 people in just two years. Nidhi was raised with the idea of gender equality and has been determined to make a positive change in society, especially for women when she can acquire the required position and power.
The Country Manager has been empowering women through the programme to understand themselves and their capabilities better and at the same time sensitising men towards them and educate to understand women and treat them with respect and dignity.
With the passion and dream to make a difference in the community, Nidhi has not only changed the worker’s lives but also their surroundings.
She said, “The programme has not only affected the workers and their lives but also it has not gotten an impact on their society, family and especially daughters. So though the programme of empowerment and gender equality started to imply on workplace but it has a farther reach”.
It is pertinent to mention here that The British High Commission and Marks and Spencer were the founding members of the initiative, and were quickly joined by other leading international brands. The organisations worked with Change Alliance (India) and Treble Partners (UK) as implementation partners in the last phase.
The India event also witnessed presence factories, brands, workers and programme field personnel who shared learnings, insights and recommendations on how to improve safety and foster a culture of equality for women in India’s garment factories.
Also present at the event, HKL Magu, Chairman, Apparel Exports Promotion Council, India (AEPC) said, ” This Gender Equality program has shown some fantastic results and demonstrates Marks & Spencer’s leadership in tackling workers issues. I hope that these kinds of gender centric programmes, sharing learning and open source resources, will help the garment industry in India.”