Fair Trade and YWCA Scotland

What is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade is an alternative approach to conventional international trade that protects vulnerable commodity farmers in developing countries. Through Fair Trade, farmers are given a guaranteed price for their products, above the world market price, along with a ‘social premium’ that their organisation can invest in social and environmental schemes to benefit the wider community.

Why should YWCA Scotland promote Fair Trade?

One of the main goals of Fair Trade is to promote development opportunities for disadvantaged producers, especially women and indigenous people, and to protect children from exploitation in the production process. Women have benefited far more than men when they have had the opportunity to participate in Fair Trade. According to the Fair Trade Federation, 70% of fair trade artisans are women who are often the sole wage earners in their homes. Through their work in Fair Trade production, women not only improve the lives of their families, but improve their own lives as well. Fair Trade gives women the opportunity to participate in decision making in their communities and an increased income ensures better schooling for their children and improved housing and living conditions for themselves and their families.

What can we do?

YWCA Scotland can play its part in supporting Fair Trade by raising awareness about how we can all make a difference and make trade fair. We can start by making small changes like buying fair trade teas, coffee and sugar. Some of our centres have already made a commitment to buying only Fair trade tea, coffee and sugar and to look into other fairtrade products and supplies. Look out for the fairtrade logo and you will see that products and suppliers are becoming more common with all Co-Op own brand goods being fair trade and bulk buying reducing the costs. http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/suppliers_caterers.htm lists all fair trade suppliers in the UK.

YWCA SCOTLAND POLICY ON FAIRTRADE

Definition of Fair Trade

A way of buying and selling products that make certain the original producer receives a fair price.

Women and Fair Trade

70% of Fair trade artisans are women who are often the sole wage earners in their homes. Through their work in fair trade production, women not only improve the lives of their families, but improve their own lives as well. Their work builds self-esteem and gives them the opportunity to participate in decision making in their communities. Increased income ensures better schooling for their children and improved housing and living standards.

YWCA Scotland actively supports good fair trade practice and is committed to raising awareness throughout the organisation and working in partnership to promote and encourage fair trade practice.

YWCA Scotland agrees the following principles:

• Fair trade refreshments are served at meetings and events hosted by YWCA Scotland and local centres in their own premises.
• A choice of fair trade products is made available in YWCA cafés or tuck shops. Where this is not practical, there is a commitment to begin to use fair trade products in all centres as soon as it is possible.
• Regular educational and awareness-raising training sessions are made available for staff, members and volunteers.
• Fair trade is promoted through YWCA publications and website and promotional materials are available in centres and at events.