“Women Hold Up Half The Sky”

March is the month for International Women’s Day and  Women’s Month.

We’ve been celebrating the achievements of some amazing Caribbean women all month on our social media pages and we invite you celebrate and follow that journey.

I’d also like to encourage you to recognize the women in your life this month. Acknowledge the women in your life who have inspired you, mentored you, or supported you. Send a note or small gift to express your gratitude.

Support women-owned businesses: Show your support for women entrepreneurs by shopping at women-owned businesses or promoting them on social media.

At Kimya Glasgow, we work with women-owned businesses, clothing manufacturers, accessory designers, collaborators and even suppliers, whenever possible.

The connection between women’s rights and sustainable fashion lies in the fact that the fashion industry has a significant impact on women’s lives, particularly those who work in the industry, and the environment.

In the garment industry, women make up the majority of the workforce in the fashion industry, especially in developing countries where labor laws may be lax, and wages are often low. Many of these women work long hours in unsafe and unhealthy conditions, often without access to basic rights such as fair pay, safe working conditions, or the right to unionize.

The fashion industry also has a significant impact on the environment.

The production of textiles, dyeing, and finishing processes use a vast amount of water, energy, and chemicals, which contribute to air and water pollution. The environmental impact of fashion production disproportionately affects women and children in developing countries, who are more vulnerable to environmental degradation.

Sustainable fashion practices aim to minimize the environmental impact of fashion production by using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and adopting circular business models that prioritize recycling and upcycling.

Being a conscious consumer can have such a positive impact on the livelihoods of so many. So keep doing what you’re doing and buy from sustainable fashion brands, artisan brands, women-owned SMEs.

Sustainable fashion practices that prioritize ethical production and consumption have a positive impact on women’s rights by improving the working conditions and rights of female workers in the industry and reducing the environmental impact of fashion production that disproportionately affects women and children in developing countries.

Last year, I had the privilege of facilitating a Women’s Empowerment workshop of 15 women, teaching nd accelerated garment construction and basic pattern making. The workshop was funded by the Taiwanese government under their women empowerment programme and the St Vincent & the Grenadines Adult Education Unit, creating economic opportunities for women to own their own sewing businesses.

As part of Women’s History month we want to encourage everyone to support  women-owned businesses where possible, especially micro and small businesses. It’s not only about changing lives, growing businesses and creating generational wealth. It’s also about fueling economies.

In the upcoming weeks we will be sharing some exciting female Caribbean artisans on our social media and on this website, so be sure to look out for them.

We also have some exciting fashion news coming up as well.

I’m looking forward to sharing my finds with you.

-Much love,

Kimya