The Context

Global supply chains are a major employer of women: Women represent an average of 68 percent of the garment workforce, 45 percent of the textile sector workforce, and up to 70 percent of the horticulture workforce.

These low-income working women often face significant and specific challenges, such as a low status in the workplace, low skill levels, irregular and excessive hours, harassment, violence, and discrimination. These challenges are reinforced by a lower status in society. HERproject stands with women as they take greater control of their lives, ensuring that they can make and act on choices they value. We firmly believe that women in global supply chains have the potential to be powerful agents for positive change in workplaces and in society. HERproject works to unlock that potential.

Our ambition is for employment and empowerment to go hand-in-hand for women workers, with an empowered female workforce seen as a driver for business success.

Activities

Our programs in factories and farms consist of three activities:

Building Capacity

We develop and coordinate workplace training sessions that help groups of women enhance their knowledge, confidence, and self-esteem. These women then empower their peers, families, and communities.

Strengthening Management Systems

We provide expert guidance to brands and their suppliers on improving workplace systems and policies, enabling them to build inclusive workplaces for women and more resilient supply chains.

Expanding Access to Products and Services

We build connections to key products and services, such as health clinics and formal bank accounts. This means women have access to and control over the resources they need to improve their lives.