Organic Cotton Turtleneck Dress | 1 of 12 INDIGENOUS styles benefitting Global Fund for Women

The global movement toward gender equality is incomplete without addressing the fashion industry’s supply chain violence against women. 75% of garment workers are women, and violence is a widespread epidemic. The right to live free from violence is a basic human right and women across the world are speaking up. Hoping to spread their ethical supply chain values from Peru to the rest of the world, INDIGENOUS is leveraging its top-selling Holiday 2017 styles to benefit Global Fund for Women.

All of INDIGENOUS’ retail profits generated from twelve curated styles will go directly to fund Global Fund for Women's new learning collaborative to eradicate violence in the fashion industry supply chain. The initiative, led by Global Fund for Women, C&A Foundation, NoVo Foundation, and Gender at Work, aims to address rampant gender-based violence in traditional fashion supply chains.

According to a recent study, in Bangladesh, up to 75% of women garment workers have experienced verbal abuse, 20% physical abuse, and 30% psychological abuse. In India, 60% of female factory workers have experienced harassment.

C&A Foundation and NoVo Foundation have pledged millions to this initiative, which will find, fund, and strengthen organizations and individuals working to end gender-based violence against women workers in South Asia, with a focus on major apparel sourcing countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The initiative will support women garment workers to learn about their rights, realize their own power to secure these rights, and become leaders to create systemic change.

INDIGENOUS is at the forefront of the ethical fashion industry, advocating for human rights and environmental preservation for over 20 years. Their non-traditional supply chain is built upon fair trade practices, women-based knitting groups, and programs that lift up artisan communities. A longtime advocate for supply chain transparency, INDIGENOUS is supporting this initiative, believing it to be the most effective and far-reaching way to empower women garment workers across the world. 

“We’re thrilled to have the support of such a reputable fashion brand as Indigenous for our initiative,” said Musimbi Kanyoro, President and CEO of Global Fund for Women. “Ending violence against women garment workers will require collaboration, resources, and passionate new advocates, and Indigenous brings even more.” 

This unique campaign will occur online, and in specialty retail stores across the United States, launching during the holiday season and culminating on Black Friday, 2017. Supporting Global Fund for Women is part of INDIGENOUS’ #HolidayWithPurpose campaign, which encourages consumers to shop and gift items that benefit our planet and communities this holiday season.  

About Indigenous

INDIGENOUS is a leader in ethical fashion, creating modern clothing using natural, organic and sustainable fibers, colored with low-impact dyes or no dyes at all. Since their founding in 1994, INDIGENOUS has worked to forge a better way forward for the fashion industry. Through programs in Peru, INDIGENOUS helps provide housing to victims of domestic violence. Women in these programs receive free job skill training, empowering them with financial independence.

By producing their clothing line with ecologically mindful practices, each year Indigenous saves an estimated 48,450,000 liters of water; keeps 20,750 kg of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere; and prevents 6528 oz of deadly toxic pesticides from entering our environment.

INDIGENOUS’ sustainable fashion clothing line can be found in boutiques across the United States, as well as online at www.indigenous.com

About Global Fund for Women

Global Fund for Women is one of the world’s leading foundations for gender equality, standing up for the human rights of women and girls. It campaigns for zero violence, economic and political empowerment, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Global Fund for Women uses its powerful network to rally advocates, raise money, and get support to where it’s most urgently needed. It funds and partners with women-led groups who are courageously fighting for justice in their own communities. This rights-based approach gets to the root of gender inequality and is the most effective way to create permanent social change.

Since 1987, Global Fund for Women has invested in nearly 5,000 grassroots groups in 175 countries, helping to win rights for millions of women and girls.

Campaign Hashtags: #HolidayWithPurpose #FashionEmpowers #StyleHumanity

Media Contacts:
Scott Leonard, INDIGENOUS CEO and Co-founder | scott@indigenous.com | 800-664-9410
Anna Tenuta, Senior Campaigns & Communications Manager at Global Fund for Women | atenuta@globalfundforwomen.org | 212-419-4467

Indigenous Designs

Indigenous Designs

Our garments are made by the hands and hearts of artisans in many types of communities throughout the globe. By working directly with these artisans and their knitting cooperatives, a strong partnership has evolved to support their visions in managing sustainable commerce. We assist the artisans with quality control measures, sound production and planning management, as well as research and design for the local and world markets.

More from Indigenous Designs