Fair Trade Fortnight

Fairtrade and the Women's Festival
Across the developing world it is the women who go out and earn a living. Picking tea, working the paddy fields, growing coffee, and stitching clothes are just a few of the jobs they may do. Many are exploited within the workplace, have no health and safety, are paid very low wages and do not get a fair price for any products they grow. They need a collective voice in order to make an impact against the global trade system and the Fairtrade system enables this by encouraging them to create co-operatives and work together in order to get better prices and better working conditions.

Fairtrade is about:
- Women producers
- Women's rights in the work place
- Family support networks
- Women supporting women

What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade provides a way for consumers to show their commitment to a fairer world, and enables producers to meet their basic needs through receiving a decent price for their products.

Coventry a Fairtrade City
A Fairtrade city is one where the importance of fair trade is recognised, and the local authority, groups and individuals are committed to supporting and promoting fair trade. Coventry was awarded Fairtrade City status in 2005 and invites voluntary groups, churches, clubs, schools, shops and cafes to apply for Fairtrade status.

For Coventry to maintain its  Fairtrade City status:
Coventry City Council must support its  Fairtrade policy, by using Fairtrade tea and coffee at all Council Meetings, Committee Meetings etc.

groups (voluntary, church, clubs) need to declare their support for Fairtrade, serve Fairtrade tea and coffee and encourage their members to buy Fairtrade products regularly.
We celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, highlighting the benefits for producers in poorer countries.
We must demonstrate that many retail outlets, restaurants and cafes in Coventry sell Fairtrade products.
We need to persuade employers to make Fairtrade products available to employees through catering facilities.

.