"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Half of the world — nearly three billion people — live on less than two dollars a day a number that does not even equate to a fair living wage. We all deserve a living wage - one that enables workers and their dependants to meet their needs for nutritious food, clean water, shelter, clothes, access to education, access to health care and transport. And in a globalised world where factories are churning out cheap fast fashion, children are exploited in the supply chain. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) there are around 260 million children in employment around the world. A truly staggering number and of them, the ILO estimates that 170 million are engaged in child labour, defined by the United Nations as “work for which the child is either too young – work done below the required minimum age – or work which, because of its detrimental nature or conditions, is altogether considered unacceptable for children and is prohibited”.
This needs to stop and we as consumers have a powerful voice in creating this change through knowledge, awareness and choice. Fashion Revolution is a global movement calling for greater transparency, living wages, sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry.
Fashion Revolution wants to unite the fashion industry and ignite a revolution to radically change the way our clothes are sourced, produced and purchased, so that what the world wears has been made in a safe, clean and fair way. Fashion Revolution Week runs over 23rd - 29th April 2018 and this year is the 5th anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse where 1,138 people lost their lives and injured many more in 2013. This tragedy calls for us to never forget how fast fashion operates and encourage millions of people to stand up and ask all brands #whomademyclothes and demand greater transparency in the fashion supply chain.There are real people behind all of the textiles we wear and use. They each deserve equal respect and rights.
"There is no they, only us. We are part of a large fellowship called the human race. We all hurt the same. We all love the same. We all bleed the same. We all need understanding and care. We can't separate ourselves from one another. We are all part of the same vast sea of love, one indivisible divine mind." ~ Marianne Williamson
Bhumi Organic Cotton is dedicated to the Fashion Revolution and we strongly believe there is integrity in creating, and integrity in receiving. If either diminishes, the other will also suffer. At Bhumi we encourage you to dive deeper and look at other issues of equal paramount importance such as pesticide usage on crops, toxic dyes to colour our fabrics, is the product grown from Genetically Modified seeds.
By asking questions and finding who made your clothes, how they were made, where they were made, what is the impact on the Earth and Her People, means you are setting up a more sustainable future. You are empowering a future generation to continue to produce food and textiles, while protecting and nurturing the environment and humanity to meet ever growing demands. It is a personal choice, and a shared societal value.
“There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
About the Author: Vinita is the Founder of Bhumi Organic Cotton and passionate about an Earth Life Balance.
