Led by the Latin American and Caribbean Coordinator of Small Producers and Fair Trade Workers (CLAC), a group 75 leaders in Latin America’s banana sector pledged their commitment to a new campaign that seeks to raise awareness, prevent, and address gender-based violence and sexual harassment in the banana industry.
Tainted in the colour orange, the “Silence does not protect” campaign is a call to build communities where workers, especially women, can live and work with dignity.
“For decades, silence has made violence in our fields and workplaces invisible. This campaign is a declaration of principles: respect, equity, and dignity are not optional; they are the foundation of any economy that aspires to be truly fair,” said Marike de Peña, president of the CLAC Banana Network.
Originally launched at the Fifth Edition of the Fairtrade Banana Forum in May and online in July, the campaign was supported by representatives from Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Peru, Guatemala, and Panama. Their commitment reaffirms the banana sector’s goal to support supply chains that prioritise equity, inclusion, and respect for all workers. The campaign’s virtual launch was held in July.
Women working in the banana sector are often subject to many forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
Fairtrade plays a crucial role in addressing these issues by providing mechanisms for reporting and addressing complaints, offering awareness-raising and preventative training, and supporting workers, especially women, through better pay and working conditions.
However, a multi-faceted approach involving all relevant stakeholders is required to make an impact, and the “Silence does not protect” campaign is a step in the right direction. The campaign’s activities will include the cross country distribution of educational materials, tools and training for prevention, as well as case management support for producer organisations.
