By Angelica Recierdo, inside columnist
With the holiday season coming up again and online shopping in full force, why not try purchasing uniquely crafted and designed products that benefit disenfranchised women? In our busy lives, it is sometimes difficult to carve out the time to dedicate ourselves to each cause we want to support. By becoming a conscientious consumer, we can show solidarity with people we might not have any other way of reaching. And women take the good bestowed upon them and share it with everyone around them, creating a ripple effect of social change. Here are some companies working hard to empower women in various parts of the world:
Works with fair-trade artisan groups in Nepal to make beautiful felt and leather tech accessories. Only half of Nepal’s population can read, have a job and live above the poverty line – and women make up an even smaller percentage of that. Felt is the oldest man-made textile and is traditionally Nepali. Their minimalist-design iPad sleeves and crossbody bags are versatile accessories everyone needs.
Restores hope to sexually exploited women in Asia by offering them another means of employment, skills training, housing, counseling and health care access. Making jewelry gives the women pride and hope to be agents of change in their own lives. Their current fall catalog boasts some unique pieces you won’t be able to find elsewhere and they even make jewelry for children.
Committed to partnering with fair-trade artisan groups in India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cambodia, Pakistan and theUS to employ at-risk women. Each country-specific collection focuses on one issue, such as HIV in Ethiopia or lack of primary education in Kenya. All products are hand-made and eco-friendly,and their collection features jewelry, clothing, accessories, paper products and home goods. Their hand-poured soy candles, journals and jewelry made of melted bullet casing beads are stunning and full of history.
A publication for all women to be proud of. No women featured in photographs are re-touched and every article features advice, insight and reflection on various issues real women face such as career, physical health, mental health, friendship, love, family, etc. Finally there’s a resource for the woman who loves both recipes and entrepreneurial ventures. A noble gift for every woman in your life.
An impressive lifestyle brand working on-ground with female artisans in Rwanda to break the cycle of poverty. All of their profits fund job skills training programs for artisan partners in business management, technology, entrepreneurship and English & Kinyarwanda literacy. Just this past July, they launched a Leadership Academy to provide more advanced business training for women. Indego Africa is steadfast in measuring its social impact with annual data reports available on their website. Their home goods, jewelry and accessories are bright and diverse accents to any home or outfit.
Photo courtesy Ann Porteus, Creative Commons
