Best practices in the textile industry: the Gender Data Gap Partnership Initiative

The textile industry faces a well-documented yet often underreported issue: gender discrimination in factories. Despite widespread recognition of this problem, low reporting rates and insufficient documentation make it challenging for companies to develop targeted solutions.

As part of our work within the EU Textiles Ecosystem Platform, CSIL has identified the Gender Data Gap Partnership Initiative as a best practice in addressing gender inequality within textile manufacturing. Launched by the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles and supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), this initiative is helping companies measure and improve gender equality across their supply chains.

In a pilot project conducted in Tunisia, the initiative introduced a two-level assessment system that gathered crucial data on:

• Occupational safety for pregnant women
• Promotion opportunities for women
• Prevention of psychological and physical violence

The methodology employs specially trained, external female auditors who ensure that workers can speak freely in a safe environment, free from cultural or language barriers. This approach provides actionable insights that companies can use to improve workplace conditions for women.

Key achievements and results:

• Findings highlight three critical areas: occupational safety, promotion opportunities for women, and prevention of violence in the workplace.
• The development of a Gender Equality Assessment and Action Guide provides companies with practical tools, including questionnaires, evaluation methods, and action planning guides. This tool helps companies take targeted measures to improve gender equality.
• The initiative demonstrates clear business benefits: companies with higher gender diversity are 25% more likely to be profitable, and diverse teams increase creativity and improve problem-solving skills.

The Gender Data Gap Initiative establishes a replicable model for companies to assess and improve gender equality in their supply chains. The project supports broader EU objectives for social sustainability and human rights due diligence, contributing to safer, healthier, and more inclusive working environments in the textile industry.

Read More:

• Explore the full article
• Learn about CSIL’s role in the EU Textiles Ecosystem Platform

Cover photo by Allan Wadsworth on Unsplash