Today, on Human Rights Day, Fairtrade International is calling on our partners to take a stand against sexual violence and harassment and join the “Silence does not protect” campaign.

Fairtrade believes that ensuring a safe working environment is everyone’s responsibility. However, according to estimates published by the World Health Organization, globally about 1 in 3 of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual  violence in their lifetime.

The campaign, led by the Fairtrade producer network Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Small Producers and Workers (CLAC), encourages people to speak up if they come across gender-based violence or sexual harassment in the workplace. Because silence does not protect; rather, it helps normalise violence and harassment. The campaign also promotes open dialogue and actions to prevent and address these issues while upholding human rights. 

Tainted in orange and symbolised by a heart, the campaign has been raising awareness throughout Latin America and the Caribbean thanks to educational materials, tools and training for prevention, as well as case management support for producer organisations.

Fairtrade partners throughout the world can support this effort by:

• Promoting the campaign through their various communication channels.
• Making a public commitment to no tolerance for gender-based violence and sexual harassment and creating internal reporting channels.
• Implementing training at all levels to increase awareness.
• Exploring alliances for a joint approach and awareness-raising in the prevention of sexual
  harassment and other forms of workplace violence.
• Sharing learnings and experiences about raising awareness and prevention
• Joining initiatives and events about the campaign.

The “Silence does not protect” campaign was originally launched at the Fifth Edition of the Fairtrade Banana Forum in May 2025. It was supported by representatives from Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Peru, Guatemala, and Panama, which demonstrated the banana sector’s goal to support supply chains that prioritise equity, inclusion, and respect for all workers.

However, these issues are not unique to the banana industry, and the campaign also encompasses all Fairtrade product categories. 

Fairtrade plays a crucial role in addressing these human rights issues. It provides mechanisms for reporting and addressing complaints, offering awareness-raising and preventative training, and supporting workers, especially women, through better pay and working conditions. 

However, partner support and collaboration are needed to make a bigger impact so that fundamental human rights are protected. Join us in “Silence does not protect” campaign!