AbTF Launches Global Campaign to Highlight Women’s Role in Cotton and Cashmere Production

“From My Hands to Your Wardrobe” campaign marks the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, with support from industry, government and civil society partners

The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) has launched its campaign, “From My Hands to Your Wardrobe”, to mark 2026 as the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer. The initiative aims to highlight the contribution of women to cotton and cashmere production and their role at the beginning of global textile supply chains.

The campaign is supported by partners including Bestseller, Tchibo, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), WWF and the Global Nature Fund.

The campaign’s visual identity features a scarf made from cotton and cashmere verified under the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) and The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), respectively. Through the scarf, the initiative shares the stories of women involved in the production of these fibres.

Campaign Highlights Women’s Contribution to Supply Chains

Tina Stridde, Managing Director of the Aid by Trade Foundation, said women farmers and herders often remain underrepresented in public perception despite their contribution to the beginning of the supply chain.

“Women farmers and herders are often underrepresented in public perception, even though they make an important contribution at the start of the supply chain,” she said.

She added, “We see it as our task to raise awareness of this in international supply chains and among consumers. Our campaign, ‘From my hands to your wardrobe’, gives these impressive women a platform and makes their stories visible.”

Gender Inequality Remains a Global Challenge

Structural discrimination against women continues to contribute to global inequality and limits development opportunities.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), closing the gender gap in agriculture could boost the global economy by USD 1 trillion and improve food security for 45 million people.

Although women perform a substantial share of agricultural work worldwide, they often have unequal access to resources, education and financial autonomy.

AbTF’s Initiatives in Cotton and Cashmere Production

The Aid by Trade Foundation addresses gender inequality through measures incorporated into its sustainability standards for cotton and cashmere. These include equality criteria, independently verified requirements and gender-specific training programmes.

In Africa, the foundation operates in ten countries south of the Sahara through Cotton made in Africa and Cotton made in Africa Organic. It also supports women's empowerment projects, many of which are organised through women's groups. More than 100 such groups have been established.

African partner companies are encouraged to actively support gender equality. The groups receive assistance in organising themselves, developing projects and creating additional income opportunities. These include setting up small businesses, literacy services, improving access to loans and securing their own contracts with cotton companies.

An independent study published in 2024 indicated progress in some areas. In Mozambique, 80% of surveyed men and women disagreed with the statement that housework is solely a woman's responsibility. In Côte d’Ivoire, more than 80% of women farmers surveyed said they received an equal share of the proceeds from cotton sales.

Women’s Role in Inner Mongolia’s Cashmere Sector

The foundation also works in Inner Mongolia’s cashmere-producing regions through The Good Cashmere Standard.

Women play a central role in family-run goat-herding businesses and participate in the training programmes provided under the standard. All four GCS model farms are managed jointly by men and women. These farms serve as training and knowledge-sharing centres for herders across the region.

Women employed in cashmere production and cotton ginning factories also benefit from gender-equality guidelines under The Good Cashmere Standard and Cotton made in Africa. These include requirements for equal pay for equal work.

Campaign Invites Wider Participation

The “From My Hands to Your Wardrobe” campaign is being promoted through its dedicated landing page, social media platforms and participating partners’ communication channels.

The foundation is inviting consumers and industry stakeholders to participate and share the campaign using the hashtag #frommyhands.