Weaving is one craftform often featured in women's fair trade products.
The "fair trade" of crafts across many nations provides women with the empowering independence that comes with the ability to earn their own income -- often in societies where men have traditionally been the main or sole earners in their families. The definition of what qualifies as fair trade is, however, extremely broad. It can cover products produced under the auspices of large, scale, well-monitored charities, small not-for-profit organisations and profit-making ventures. Because of the many types of fair trade sytems in existence, the term has provoked some controversy.
What is Fair Trade and What Is Its Relevance To Women.
According the the major UK fair trade organization, The Fairtrade Foundation, fair trade is:"about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for...workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price)." Its aim is to tackle the "injustices of conventional trade," which the organization suggests regularly takes advantage of the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. As women in many countries suffer from lack of education and poor human rights they frequently fall into this category.
Why Are Crafts So Important to Women's Fair Trade Products
Hand crafts in traditional societies were often originally made by women for personal use rather than trade. Skills such as weaving, jewelry making and pottery have been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Now outside influences have see the commercial value of these products. In societies where women have little or no rights to own land, property or animals and receive little or no education, fair trade aims to help them make their own money through their traditional skills.
Why Do Some People Think Fair Trade Crafts Are Not So Beneficial To Women.
There have been wider arguments about fair trade projects, including women's craft projects, that they introduce "commercial culture" into traditionally subsistence economies and so make poor communities more vulnerable to outside economic influence. Specific issues regarding women's fair trade crafts include sustainability and over supply. Priya Haji, CEO of World of Good, one of the largest retailers in the handmade sector is quoted as saying: "Right now this is an industry that has a much bigger production capability than demand." She does however believe demand can be increased.
What Kind of Fair Trade Women's Crafts Can I Buy and Where Do They Come From.
Products include: Woven clothes, bags, purses, and soft furnishings; jewelry; dolls; pots and cooking utensils; paper products; candles; soaps and beauty products; musical instruments; ornaments; decorative tiles; carved wooden objects; pottery; and others. Fair trade projects operate in countries across the world particularly in South America, Africa and Asia.
Where Can I Buy Fair Trade Products
Many charities and not-for-profit organizations offer women's fair trade craft products for sale on their web sites or in their shops. Craft fairs in towns and cities often include stalls with fair trade products for sale. Many commercial craft shops also now sell items made by women under the fair trade system, some will have recognized fair trade certification. The Fair Trade Federation offers links and guidelines for buying products.
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