International Women’s Day: A fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work

Tuesday 8 March marks the 100th year of International Women’s Day. This year's celebrations focus on education and training for women.

Of the world’s poorest billion people, 70 per cent are women and girls. Education and training are vital so they can get a job and provide for their families.

In Bolgatanga, many Ghanaian women earn a living selling shea nuts and shea butter. This is the main source of income for the women in this poverty stricken area. In 1998, they formed the Akoma Cooperative Multipurpose Society to ensure they get a fair wage for the work they do, and also to learn new skills such as dressmaking, soap making and cocoa butter production.

In 2009 they received Fairtrade certification. Becoming Fairtrade certified means that the cooperative gets better prices for its goods.

Investing in education

Because the women get a fairer amount for their produce, they have decided to use some of their pay to renovate the local primary school. Over the next five years, they hope to use more money from their Fairtrade goods to build a library and a computer centre as well as buying desks and school equipment.

Fairtrade Fortnight runs from 28 February to 13 March. This year we’re asking supporters to show off about buying Fairtrade. It doesn’t matter if you line the pews with inflatable Fairtrade bananas or cut your lawn in the style of a Fairtrade label – any effort will show your support for Fairtrade and solidarity with women like those of the Akoma Cooperative.

How you can help

Please support Fairtrade Fortnight by buying Fairtrade and showing off your label in your parishes and pews. For more information and resources see our Fairtrade Fortnight pages.