Women continue to play a decisive role in driving social and economic improvements across cotton-growing communities in Africa, yet systemic disadvantages persist. A new study released by Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) highlights measurable progress in promoting gender justice within its certified cotton production regions.
Study Highlights Women’s Leadership in Cotton Communities
According to the findings, an increasing number of women are taking on leadership roles as “lead farmers” within the CmiA framework. In these roles, they serve as mentors and role models for other female farmers, while also forming cooperatives to strengthen autonomy and create additional income streams.
Tina Stridde, Managing Director of the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), CmiA’s parent organization, said the results demonstrate that sustained efforts toward gender equality are yielding tangible outcomes.
“In our view, a product is truly sustainable only if it changes the lives of the people who produce it for the better,” Stridde noted, adding that CmiA’s work extends beyond cotton production to broader social transformation within rural communities.
Collaboration and Verification Drive Change
A key driver behind the progress has been close collaboration with African cotton companies operating in cultivation regions. Regular verification processes assess compliance with CmiA’s standards, including gender-focused training initiatives and projects designed to promote equality.
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These verifications rely on a broad set of indicators, covering areas such as participation in gender training and implementation of empowerment programs. Over time, this structured engagement has not only raised awareness in village communities but also challenged traditional norms within partner companies, fostering systemic change.
Survey data underscores this shift. In Mozambique, more than 80% of both male and female respondents disagreed with the notion that care work should be exclusively performed by women. At least 60% of surveyed farmers reported applying skills and knowledge gained through gender-specific training programs. Additionally, over 80% of women surveyed stated they receive an equal share of proceeds from cotton sales within their households.
Research Based on International Standards
The gender study was conducted using the internationally recognized Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI). The research included surveys of more than 500 farmers, 26 in-depth interviews, and approximately 30 group discussions across cotton-growing regions in Mozambique and Benin.
CmiA aligns its gender equality initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on gender equality. The organization also adheres to international frameworks such as International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and Agenda 2030, and contributes to broader industry discussions through expert groups including the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles’ strategy committee for gender equality.
Through these efforts, Cotton made in Africa aims to strengthen women’s roles in agricultural value chains while reinforcing sustainability standards across the global textile industry.
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