– RISE drives positive change in the clothing, footwear and textile sectorindustries, aiming to create a sustainable working environment
PARIS, December 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — RISE (Reimagining the Industry to Support Equality) promotes sustainable transformation to improve women workers’ rights and gender equality in the garment, footwear and textile industries.
Around 75% of the approximately 60 million workers in the global garment sector are women. These women often face gender discrimination, harassment and violence in the workplace, as well as limited opportunities for career advancement. The consequences of COVID-19, combined with ongoing economic uncertainties, have left many workers in increasingly precarious situations. Against this backdrop, four global organizations – BSR’s HER Project, GAP Inc’s PACE, CARE and Better Work – joined forces in 2023 to launch RISE, a collaborative initiative to empower women workers, mainstream gender equality in business practices and catalyze systems change.
By 2024, RISE has reached nearly 400,000 workers, 65% of whom are women, across the country. Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Guatemala, India, Pakistan And Vietnamon track to reach 1.5 million workers by the end of 2026. RISE provides comprehensive support, enabling female workers to increase their skills, knowledge and self-confidence to boost their professional and personal development. After participating in RISE programs, women said their confidence in their self-esteem increased by 49%. In five countries, the belief that giving more rights to women comes at a cost to men fell by 46%.
RISE programs seek to expand and sustain action to empower women in the workplace. They include:
– Financial health, improving financial literacy to strengthen economic resilience and stability
– Respect, fostering a safe and fair working environment by combating gender-based violence and harassment
– Foundations, a workplace development program to increase agency and advance the rights of women workers.
– Digital program, improving digital literacy and skills in health, finance and stress management.
Leak, Quality Controller Cambodia who participated in the financial health program, said she is using her new skills to plan her savings for her future: “Before saving 10$USD a month, but now I can save $25 a month because I identify my needs and I want better. I am saving up for an air conditioner for my house because it gets very hot during the hot season and for emergencies. »
RISE plays a central role in tackling gender inequality and promoting women’s economic independence. The organization prioritizes the establishment of responsible and gender-sensitive business practices in the apparel sector, while advocating for changes in relevant laws and policies.
Christine Svarer, Executive Director of RISE, says: “RISE now has over 30 members, including buyers and suppliers, which is crucial to achieving real improvement on the production floor. Factories that implement our programs notice real business benefits: a survey of 37 workplaces around the world. six countries saw a 30% reduction in turnover rates, an increase in productivity and a decline in rework rates from 7.2% to 5.5%. This highlights the tangible impact of RISE that we are continually increasing as we grow. new members, factories and countries.
In the rapidly evolving garment, footwear and textile industries, protecting workers’ rights is no longer optional but essential for sustainable growth. Initiatives such as RISE mark a crucial starting point for sustainability, and more and more companies are expected to adopt responsible management practices through such programs.
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SOURCE RISE (Reimagining the Industry to Support Equality)
