FAIR TRADE SAN DIEGO

International Women's Day

Today, March 8th, is International Women's Day.  This is a day to inspire women and to celebrate them as well.  In college I minored in Women's Studies and wrote my undergraduate thesis on the valuable role that women play in the Catholic Church.  Perhaps it goes without saying that I am a definite supporter of the rights of women.  As it turns out I am a definite supporter of the rights of all people, but I am especially proud of being a woman and seeing the accomplishments that other women have and continue to achieve. 

It's no surprise to me that the fair trade movement fits into International Women's Day as well.  Fair trade is imbued with protections for the traditionally under-protected, the poor in general and women and children in particular fall in this category.  Gender equity is one of the ten principles of fair trade and is stated as follows:

   Gender equity: Fair Trade means that women’s work is properly valued and rewarded. Women are always paid for their contribution to the production process and are empowered in their organizations. (http://www.tenthousandvillages.ca/about/fair-trade)

So today, on International Women's Day take a moment and celebrate the women in your life and celebrate the achievements of the fair trade movement too for its success in protecting so many women in the developing world.

Have a wonderful day,

Dawn