Women's Day!
Tuesday, 8th March, 2012 saw International Women's Day celebrated across the world. In Global Handicrafts, we're taking the opportunity this month to showcase some of those handicrafts that are brought to us by groups working especially to empower women, like the exquisite jewellery from women war survivors in Afghanistan, and embroidered products from Sunbula, who support marginalised Palestinian women.
Read more about International Women's Day and how you can be involved at the official website here.
In Business for Freedom - Freeset bags
Shruti's* years working in Calcutta's sex industry were tough. On the days when there were no customers, she didn't eat, and with what meagre income she made from her work as a prostitute, she had to provide for her family. When fair trade business Freeset offered Shruti the opportunity to work for them, it turned her life around! With a steady income, Shruti grew healthier and could support her family. Freeset then employed her granddaughter, so that today the family has two wages coming in and like the many women she works with, Shruti is now free from her past.
The Calcutta neighbourhood where Freeset operates has 10,000 sex workers. Many of these women and girls have been trafficked into the industry and are working as slaves, while others chose the work because they simply felt they had no other option.
Freeset gives women like these a new chance at freedom, employing them in fair conditions and at a fair wage, to make quality jute bags and organic cotton t-shirts.
You can purchase the beautiful jute bags through Global Handicrafts' online store. You can also read more stories like Shruti's about the women who make the bags, and learn about human trafficking at Freeset's website here.
*Name changed
Farmers Market
Each week, a local organic vegetable group (The FVMCS' Community Growers' Group) is now bringing a half-dozen local farms to Crossroads' site to sell organic fruits and vegetables. It is held each Saturday from 10 until 4; you can find them just outside the Silk Road cafe. Come along to pick up some fresh, flavourful, local produce! (And if you're in the organic mood, you can also head into Global Handicrafts for a range of organic, Fair Trade products including spices, rice, coffee, tea, etc.)
