February 15 2017: Saint Paul, Minnesota - Fair Anita is proud to announce a total of 88,847.23 USD generated for women across the world in 2016. Fair Anita is capable of generating such a figure because 40% of artisans reported that working with our company has allowed them to employ additional artisans due to our reliable and consistent partnerships.
Fair Anita seeks to be part of the solution to sexual violence through economic empowerment. By providing women with the opportunities for financial independence they deserve, Fair Anita seeks to create a community of women who can move forward together to bring about change. Access to economic security allows women to leave their abuser and stop the cycle of sexual violence through creation of a caring household where women are seen as powerful and independent.
A job is more than just an income, it’s a tool of empowerment that enables women and their communities to move forward. One Peruvian artisan thanked Fair Anita “for the love and the trust that you have in us. It is beautiful to know that we are cared for and appreciated by people in other countries, and that other people find value in my work. My sincere congratulations for the work you’re doing for women who suffer from violence. You give them value and raise their esteem so they can move forward.”
When one woman gains power, her community does as well. When more women work, economies grow. A range of international studies show that increasing the share of household income made by women changes family spending in ways that benefit their children. A cambodian artisan told us that having a job means working “to live meaningfully and to become the people we know we can be.”
It is estimated that for every dollar a women receives in income, 90 cents are returned to the community, compared to the 40 cents returned for every dollar a man receives. When women earn more money, sales of bread and milk increase, whereas when men earn more money, spending on gambling and alcohol increases. However, women are more likely than men to work in informal employment, which sees higher rates of pay inequity and consist of generally more undervalued and vulnerable jobs than the formal sector.
By giving women access to consistent and well paid formal employment Fair Anita seeks to be a positive force in showing communities that women are strong and capable and should be treated as respected members of society. An Indian worker explained the magnitude of importance that transforming “from someone living in poverty, despised by the community, to being known as a fair trade artist, working with dignity—it is just incredible.”
For more information or to request an interview, please email info@fairanita.com or call us at 612-524-9570