More than half of factory workers who produce garments for the fashion industry are women. This means that when we talk about protecting human rights in the garment and fashion industry, we must also specifically consider the rights of women. Many of the issues facing garment workers, like low wages and precarious employment, disproportionately affect women.

Gender discrimination is rife in the garment industry. Women face a persistent wage gap, earning less than men for comparable work. They also endure rampant gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace.

Empowering women workers is crucial for combating gender discrimination. When states and companies suppress labour rights, such as the right to form unions, they not only undermine workers’ rights but also specifically impede women’s ability to advocate for change. The garment industry lacks sufficient safeguards for workers, especially women. Empowering women workers with greater authority and decision-making opportunities ensures that any new safeguard introduced by employers are designed and implemented based on the genuine, lived experiences of those it aims to protect.