Lindex supports female cotton farmers through education
Lindex finances Women in Cotton in collaboration with CottonConnect. The project aims to train and strengthen female cotton farmers who are in the conversion from conventional to organic farming.
Today, only about two percent of the world's cotton is organically grown. Lindex works to increase this proportion and is therefore supporting CottonConnect's project 'Women in Cotton', which aims to educate female cotton farmers in organic farming but also in business management, health and labour rights.
"As one of the world's largest buyers of organic cotton, we are working to further increase the supply of organic cotton, while at the same time continuing the important work of strengthening women”, says Anna-Karin Dahlberg, Sustainability Manager at Lindex.
350 women will participate in the two-year long project which Lindex is funding. The women come from tribal areas in India that are isolated from the general development. They are in the process of transitioning from conventional farming to organic farming, a transition which takes many years.
"Our partnership with Lindex seeks to transform the organic cotton sector not only by increasing the volumes of organic cotton and by working with women who are often neglected in training programmes; but also, and very importantly, by creating a direct link between the farm community and the brand. We believe this is essential if we are to truly change cotton supply chains", says Alison Ward, CEO at CottonConnect.
Today, 68 percent of the cotton that Lindex uses in its collections is organic and the entire fashion company's baby assortment is made of more sustainable materials. The cotton in the baby products is always organic and the baby cotton garments are always GOTS certified. As part of Lindex's sustainability promise - to make a difference for future generations - the fashion company's goal is that by 2025, 100 per cent of Lindex's materials will be recycled or come from sustainable sources.
About CottonConnect
CottonConnect is an organisation that wants to change the cotton industry and enable brands and retailers to develop a more robust and resilient cotton supply chain. They connect brands and retailers with cotton farmers to create a transparent supply chain. They train the cotton farmers in agroeconomic practices and work to improve their livelihoods and farming community.
For more information, please contact:
Kristina Hermansson
Corporate Communications Manager
Phone: 46 (0)31 739 50 70
E-mail: press@lindex.com
Lindex is one of Europe's leading fashion company, with approximately 460 stores in 18 markets and sales online. Lindex offers inspiring and affordable fashion for the fashion interested and conscious woman. The assortment includes several different concepts within women's wear, kids' wear, lingerie and cosmetics. Lindex is growing, both in own channels and together with global fashion platforms. Lindex sustainability promise is to make a difference for future generations by empowering women, respecting the planet and ensuring human rights. Lindex is part of the Finnish-listed Stockmann Group. More information is available at www.lindex.com
