Twinings’ decision to increase its funding initiative with UNICEF for vulnerable tea farmers in Assam was built on a belief that improving skills, health and wellbeing is critical to securing the long-term security of the supply chain, the company’s head of social impact has revealed.
Posted on Edie.net
Last week, Twinings announced that a funding programme for a partnership with children’s charity UNICEF had been increased for an additional five years. The partnership, which commenced in 2010, has already benefitted 34,000 young women living on tea estates in Assam, North India, giving them access to better nutrition and protection while fostering a sense of empowerment.
“We don’t employ these people directly, but we play a part in their lives”
Celine Gilart, Twinings Head of Social Impact
Assam contributes to more than half of the country’s tea production, with 17% of the state’s population working on tea estates. However, these workers are among the most marginalised groups in the area, with data showing that almost half of the women and girls in the tea gardens are stunted, while more than 96% are anaemic. High maternal mortality, early marriage, low-learning levels, under-nutrition and cases of trafficking are also common in the state.
The latest phase of the partnership aims to improve the lives of vulnerable women and children across 63 tea gardens in Assam, which have a total population of 350,000
Read entire article How Twinings is championing women’s rights in the tea supply chain | Edie.net