BY BETELHEM BEDLU
ADDIS ABABA– Fairtrade Africa said it has been working towards gender equality which lies in its ethos and standards and it not only make producer organizations come up with gender policies, but also support the latter to implement them to narrow gender inequality.
Fairtrade Africa recently held an experience and knowledge sharing program in connection with the International Women’s Day (March 8) between coffee growers coming from Uganda, Kenya, DRC, Rwanda and Tanzania with floriculture companies operating in Ethiopia.
During the occasion, the Gender Coordinator within Fairtrade Africa Susan Limisi stated that they are working to ensure producer organizations’ gender policies remain compliant through the establishment of gender committees. “Despite the important contributions they have made in agricultural production, most of their work goes unnoticed and unrewarded, just because they are women.”
Limisi further highlighted those structural challenges constrain women empowerment and their access to key services. Recent research conducted by Fairtrade identified shortcomings to translate gender progressive policies and laws into practice and systematic and cultural challenges are identified as the major hurdles to challenge women’s performance.
Batu Town Women and Children Movement and Empowerment Bureau Head Adey Zeleke said for her part that the knowledge and experience sharing program has a paramount significance in enhancing the capacity of women in flower farms. The town administration along with other government institutions has been exerting utmost efforts to safeguard the safety of employees especially women.
Also, the administration has been partnering with relevant institutions to better serve the women’s interests. “We are ready to conduct awareness creation and capacity building programs to fill the gap that exists in the sector.”
As to BodedeQitu, a woman with physical disability and an employee at Sher Ethiopia, the training that Fairtrade Africa provided for employees of producer organizations brings about essential progress in their work. “During my ten years of working experience, the training and material support, including assistive equipment that Fairtrade Africa has offered helped me to nurture the ‘I Can’ attitude despite my physical disability.”
In an event held under the theme ‘Break the Bias,’ Fairtrade Africa awarded best performing producer organizations as well as employees.
The Ethiopian Herald march 27/2022
