Working together for a greater impact.
Did you know that Lindex is one of the world’s largest buyers of organic cotton? That means we can influence the supply chain and improve production. Together with CottonConnect we’ve started ‘Women in Cotton’, a program that trains women cotton farmers in cultivation skills and business management alongside health, education and labour rights.
“As one of the world’s largest buyers of organic cotton, we are working to increase the supply of organic cotton further, while at the same time continuing the important work of strengthening women”, says Anna-Karin Dahlberg, Director of Sustainability at Lindex
Our goal: 100% organic cotton
‘Women in Cotton’ gathers 350 women in the region of Madhya Pradesh, India. Within the programme, female cotton farmers learn to improve their livelihood by using organic cotton farming practices. We offer a platform, network and knowledge, but it’s each woman’s hard work and dedication that makes them established business owners.
Strengthening and empowering women
‘Women in Cotton’ supports and strengthens female cotton growers in their shift to organic farming, and becoming independent business owners. The programme includes training in organic agricultural practices such as soil fertility, pest management, cotton picking methods, chemicals, and water efficiency. For the women to become established business owners with organic cotton farms, the sessions include business management, health information and labour rights. They are an essential part of our future.
By 2025 we want all our cotton to be organic. And to reach that goal, we want to take part in expanding organic cotton farming. Together with CottonConnect and the programme ‘Women in Cotton’ we now strive towards a more sustainable cotton production, while at the same time strengthening and empowering women.
By 2025 we want all our cotton to be organic. And to reach that goal, we want to take part in expanding organic cotton farming. Together with CottonConnect and the programme ‘Women in Cotton’ we now strive towards a more sustainable cotton production, while at the same time strengthening and empowering women.
Lindex in collaboration with CottonConnect
This pyjama is one in a million. Literally.
As a first step towards 100% organic cotton, we have made one million baby pyjamas. They are all made from cotton produced by the women participating in the ‘Women in Cotton’ programme — and that makes us so proud of them. These pyjamas are a symbol of empowerment and will have long-term effects on future generations.
Today 80% of our cotton is organic — and our entire baby assortment is made of organic cotton.
With the future in mind.
Meet Basanti, Dhudhari, and Samita, three of the 350 women in ‘Women in Cotton’.
Meet Basanti Bai
Basanti Bai has a big family, and her children go to school. She is part of the programme and obtained training for organic farming.
“I learnt to make dung fertilizer, organic insecticides and pesticides.
This will lower the costs for our production. We were also given training for goat rearing which has helped us in the group to start a goat rearing business together.”
Together, they have learned how to start saving money, for when she and her family need them.
“I wish that all women join the savings group and that people in my village have a good livelihood. One should work hard and strive to create their own identity.”, she says.
Meet Samita Bai
Samita Bai is a wife, and mother of two. She lives in a village in the region Madhya Pradesh, India. Her family were farmers before, but through the programme, Samita Bai has learned how to do organic farming.
“I have learned about saving and how to utilize the saved amount at times of need. Learning to make dung fertilizer, vermin-compost, and use organic methods for producing crops at a lower cost helped us save.”
Samita’s dream is that all women in her village practice organic farming and join the group, and for all people in her community to have a livelihood.
“Before, I could not speak in front of others, but now I feel comfortable doing so.”
Meet Dhudhari Bai
Dhudhari Bai lives with her husband, their two sons, daughters-in-law, and their children.
“We now practice organic farming and prepare and use organic fertilisers and medicines. This has helped us get better yield at lower costs. We were also told about crop diseases and their treatment.”
The programme includes a savings group, in which Dhudhari has participated.
“My dream for the future is that every family in my village practices organic farming and is able to lead a good life. I hope all women join the savings group and are able to use the saved money for the betterment of their families and to provide quality education to their children.”
CottonConnect, ’Women in cotton’, and Lindex.
’Women in Cotton’ support women in the region of Madhya Pradesh, India, in their shift to organic farming, and becoming independent business owners. The programme offers a platform, network and knowledge but it’s each woman’s hard work and dedication that makes them established business owners.
Supporting and strengthening female cotton growers
Women populate every part of our value chain, from field to fitting room, and we feel a responsibility toward every single one of them. Lindex is a member of CottonConnect. Together with them, we started the programme ‘Women in Cotton’, where female cotton farmers learn to improve their livelihood by using organic cotton farming practices.