i m p a c t
"putting fairness at the heart of the demographic, digital and green transitions is the challenge of our times. fair trade based on decent social and labour standards at global level is key to sustainable development. new business models aiming at generating positive social impact will play a key role in this."
~ nicolas schmit, european commissioner for jobs and social rights
we are fortunate to be partnered with non-profit organizations who have been working with our artisan communities for just under 50-years now, since bangladesh became an independent country after nine-months of gruelling war in 1971.
small missionary groups at the time, their aim was to work closely on ground, in some of the most impoverished regions of the country – where post-war famine had taken over, to assist these communities out of the cycles of poverty & its far-reaching grasp. motivated to build up these villages to be self reliant & self sufficient again, the initial focus was on traditional farming, age-old crafting techniques and small, local shops & businesses.
working within poverty is not entirely clear cut because while some solutions can provide the much-welcome short-term relief, a holistic vision for the road ahead – the years to come – is just as crucial.
it also means that traditional beliefs, thoughts and ways of life must be respected and given the time & space to evolve – with careful balancing of the new with the old.
in newly-independent bangladesh, job opportunities – or, the promises thereof –eventually began to attract villagers into the metropolitan cities. sometimes the lure of such jobs pay off but for the countless many, it still means leaving their families & homes, communities & land, to live and struggle alone, amongst strangers, usually in crammed living quarters & in uncertain conditions. the lack of money equates to a larger lacking in security – and puts females & children especially, at risk of trafficking, sexual exploitation & abuse.
slums are often breeding grounds for many communicable diseases, making the living conditions less than ideal, especially for those with no access to healthcare & funds. those unable to find jobs to pay even the slum rents, end up on the streets, increasing homelessness and begging.
children, of course, also grow up amidst all of this.
k e e p i n g f a m i l i e s t o g e t h e r
the move into cities for work not only creates displacement but also pressure on the limited resources of a growing city in a developing country; these needs cannot be met sustainably.
one of our most important work, particularly with our jute ware, lies is creating jobs and employments opportunities in the rural sectors – keeping families & communities together by providing stable, regular work and reducing the need for migration.
our artisans will generally work on our orders from their homes around the daily needs of family life and often as a group in the late afternoons, with the children playing nearby and the responsibilities for the day attended to.
our partner organizations hold regular training sessions for our artisans, as needed or requested, in custom-built training centres in the villages, the “uthan” (courtyard) of an artisan’s home or the local school room after school-hours. these workshops provide safe, clean learning spaces for our artisans to ask questions, train & socialize.
b u i l d i n g u p c o m m u n i t i e s
with each order placed, we are able to support the community & village at large.
jute is grown locally, using traditional farming techniques; men in the villages, sometimes husbands of our artisans, will also be employed with our partner organizations - growing, storing and distributing the raw materials.
in being employed by the same organization, these men also have the access to training, up-skilling and counselling opportunities – as well as, being paid a fair wage.
this, amongst a host of other reasons, is why partnering with a registered fairtrade organization was of key importance to us when starting 71bay – fair wages give human beings a fighting chance at implementing change.
our artisans who make the kantha & metal ware, were previously forced into the sex industry, often at a young age, or were at risk of trafficking. they are rehabilitated through the amazing works of another wonderful organization we have the privilege to support. this is often the first time in years that these women have had the freedom to make sound choices & make their own decisions. they are offered counselling, amongst other training, to assist in building their lives back up.
our partners organizations work at grass root levels to also ensure the wellbeing of these communities – teaching them about topics ranging from nutrition, health, maternity & family-planning to the management of finances, bookkeeping, savings & loans to the importance of schooling and equal opportunities for boys & girls alike.
s o c i a l n o r m s
bangladesh is traditionally a patriarchal society and change is generally met with some form of resistance.
the scope for earning a steady, consistent living paves the way for a slow but sure move forward for these women within their families and communities, particularly as they can contribute financially while also being ‘present’ at home.
as the benefits of working become more tangible – particularly in the form of lessened financial stresses – societal norms are challenged, to evolve for the better. women's voices are heard – and, accepted, more.
during a field visit to an artisan’s home in 2018, she told me how her husband will at times cook a meal for the household. this artisan is in her late-60's now, having worked with our partner organizations for over 30-years; she has trained her neighbors, daughter and most recently, her new daughter-in-law in the craft and they are all now employed as well.
this is a direct reflection of change within a patriarchal society – and, one that is far-reaching.
sex workers, victims of trafficking and rape victims are generally condemned by such societies, their children often picked on. our partners for our kantha & metal wares, work tirelessly to pull women out of these vicious cycles. these women are given a new lease at life, where they are now in a safe place, able to make a dignified living. being part of a community of women who have gone through similar, harrowing experiences, while learning new skills together in both work and life, creates a sense of camaraderie that is unmatched, helping these women create their own village, holding their heads up high and looking back at society in the eye.
e m p o w e r i n g w o m e n
it has been documented by the world fair trade organization that when women are financially empowered, they not only make sound financial choices for themselves & their families, but also for the wider community – the same trends have been witnessed in countries all around the world over many years.
ongoing orders from our ends translate directly to steady employment for our artisans, - which in turn means security, allowing them the opportunity to think ahead. better financial planning & investments also mean that their families can have access to better education & healthcare, while also having some savings in place.
our partners working on ground, teach these women & their families – usually living in a ‘joint’ family scenario, where many members live under one roof – about savings, loans & managing finances. this is invaluable coaching, directed not only to our artisans but also their husbands & families, as many in the villages have never finished even the primary levels of schooling.
our artisans who have managed to escape the throes of abuse & exploitation, through the resolve of our partner organization to help emancipate them, find themselves ‘free’, often for the first time in their lives.
i n f r a s t r u c t u r e
long term developmental goals require a holistic, full-scale view – learning from past errors in order to move forward stronger.
in order to create communities that go on to thrive, where residents are healthy and safe, there must be access to proper healthcare, maternity clinics, clean water supply, clean cooking and more. all of this must run alongside schools, community spaces for meetings & gatherings, local shops & businesses, farming goals and clean spaces to store produce & raw materials.
our partners work with both micro & macro goals, helping build up the infrastructure of these villages and remote localities along the way.
the far-reaching impact of fair trade can be felt in waves - and, we are humbled seeing the differences a 'fair' model of business, coupled with conscious consumerism, can make.
e d u c a t i o n
in bangladesh, children may never receive schooling and those who initially do, rarely go beyond the primary level classes. poverty will force parents to make this choice. children are often needed to supplement the family income in order to make ends (barely) meet – they may work with their parents on the farms or at shops or, put into factories where physical work weighs heavy on these young bodies – and, minds.
girls are often married off at a young age to reduce the financial burden of feeding another mouth.
education is vital for the move out of poverty, particularly for the next generations. this is something our partner organizations have been working long on – counselling parents & guardians on the importance of schooling for both the genders, building schools locally & employing teachers.
in order to successfully combat child labour - and, child marriages - families require stable employment and income sources, where wages are 'fair' and allow them an actual chance of not only making ends meet, but also, preparing for a sustainable future for themselves and their families.
our artisans working with kantha & metal wares, have access to fully functioning day care & schooling spaces for their children while they work. the artisans themselves are also given the opportunity to learn to read & write – you may see this in the signature, in both bengali & in english, hand-stitched by the artisan on the cloth-tags for all our throws. we are immensely proud to be able to support this.
e n v i r o n m e n t
our jute is grown locally, using traditional farming techniques that are gentle on the earth. farmers may be taught newer, more efficient or sustainable techniques from time to time and our women artisans may also take a break from making our products during specific seasons to help with farming and cattle rearing – all ways to supplement the family income.
we strive to use locally grown raw materials, reducing all environmental factors involved with movement & transportation of raw materials. a conscious decision to use jute as the base for most of our designs came from it being one of the most sustainable raw materials on earth – jute is biodegradable with a very low carbon footprint, basically meaning that it cleans the air by consuming large quantities of carbon dioxide. in facts and figures, one hectare of jute crops can consume 15-tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release 11-tonnes oxygen, all in its 100-day growth period.
our kantha throws are made of used saree fabrics, meaning they are re-cycled and re-purposed, with the use of no new fabric or dyes and zero by-product in their making.
p r e s e r v i n g t r a d i t i o n s
continued utilization of traditional craftsmanship mean that these age-old skills are passed on through generations.
without buyers & consistent orders, these incredible skill sets will be lost and a piece of history true to a specific region, forgotten.
our partner organizations work with different communities all over bangladesh, identifying the traditions & associated crafts of the area, the skills that already exist, where to best utilize these & where further training is required.
as we progress through the design phases of new products for 71bay, we keep in mind the techniques available to our artisans and then go on to adjust & modify to also suit the design aesthetics of a global market.
in working as a platform to showcase the incredible craftsmanship of our artisans, the rich history through which it evolved and documenting a time in the lives of a person living so far away – and yet, sharing a similar love – we are grateful and filled with both humility & pride.
f a i r t r a d e , r a t h e r t h a n a i d
for us, the true meaning of fair trade is to provide individuals with the means to become agents for their own change.
fair wages and fair working parameters mean that our artisans can witness the fruits of their labor – being rewarded ‘fairly’ for their work. this keeps them motivated to continue learning, practicing & improving, taking pride in their creations and in turn, only adding to the impeccable quality & standards of our own designs.
d e s i g n s f o r d e v e l o p m e n t
it is a privilege to be able to use design as a means for development – and, it is one we do not take lightly.
it keep us motivated to strive harder and higher for our own brand – as ongoing orders from our ends translate to direct employment for our artisan groups.
in witnessing the life-altering effects of such works – children from some of the most marginalized backgrounds, going on to graduate from universities & securing jobs in office environments; less marital stresses & lowered cases of domestic abuse; the voices of women being heard & respected – we are excited for a world where this becomes the norm; where exploitation – of humans, animals, or our planet – is no longer done and, where everyone is motivated to make a conscious purchasing decision wherever possible.
rest assured, your purchase from us makes a difference – a direct impact on the lives of our artisans, helping create income security which can then lead to zero reliance on any form of charity. this is design for development.