Every 8 March, the world pauses to reflect on the progress women have made and also to acknowledge the challenges that remain in the struggle for equality. This day is much more than a symbolic date: it is a reminder of the collective power of women who, throughout history, have been agents of change in their communities and in global society.
Origins of International Women's Day: A Legacy of Struggle
International Women's Day has its roots in the first women's labour mobilisations in the late 19th century. An important milestone occurred in 1908 in New York, when 15,000 women marched for better working conditions, fairer wages and the right to vote. Later, on 8 March 1917, Russian women went on strike under the slogan "Bread and Peace", which triggered the abdication of the tsar and the recognition of women's political rights in Russia.
The commemoration of this day, marked by historical struggles, was adopted by the UN in 1977 and has become a global symbol of the progress and challenges in achieving gender equality.
Fair Trade and women's empowerment
In many coffee, cocoa and sugar producing regions around the world, women have historically faced barriers to decent employment, education and decision-making. Fairtrade guarantees them a fair wage and gives them the tools to lead and transform their communities.
Fair working conditions
Fair Trade guarantees living wages and safe conditions for women workers in the agricultural and artisanal sector. This means stability, security and opportunities for growth in traditionally unequal environments.
Access to education and training
Training is key to economic empowerment. Many Fair Trade cooperatives offer training programmes, enabling women to develop skills, lead projects and make decisions within their communities.
Equal opportunities
Fairtrade encourages women's participation in decision-making, reducing the wage gap and promoting equitable work spaces, where gender is not a barrier to professional growth.
Women producers: stories of change and overcoming
The stories of women who have transformed their lives through Fairtrade are inspiring. A great example is Exolina Aldana, a coffee producer in Nicaragua, whose economic empowerment has had a positive impact on both her family and her community.
Exolina Aldana: from coffee farmer to community leader
Exolina Aldana is one of the women who have achieved economic independence through Fairtrade. As secretary of the Board of Directors of CECOCAFEN, an umbrella organisation for more than 2,600 coffee farming families in Nicaragua, she has been instrumental in advocating for fair prices and access to education and health programmes for rural communities.
Exolina has been involved in cooperatives since she was a child, as her parents were members of CECOCAFEN. Thanks to a university scholarship, she obtained a degree in accounting and specialised in gender leadership and climate change. Her commitment to women's empowerment led her to play a crucial role in the organisation, promoting the training of women and youth in her community.
Under her leadership, scholarship programmes have been implemented for the children of women workers, ensuring educational opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.
It has also worked on environmental sustainability projects, promoting responsible agricultural practices and ensuring that women producers have access to training and resources to improve the quality of their coffee and their living conditions.
Testimonies from women in cooperatives: the real impact of Fair Trade
Women from different producer cooperatives also share their stories of transformation thanks to Fair Trade. According to a testimony from the State Fair Trade Coordinator, many women in rural communities have experienced a real improvement in their lives by having access to fair prices, education and health.
Maria Lopez, a cocoa producer in Peru, tells how, thanks to the income from Fairtrade, she was able to send her daughters to school and improve the infrastructure of her home. On the other hand, Ana Rodríguez, a member of a coffee cooperative in Honduras, highlights how training in leadership and resource management allowed her to take on decision-making roles in the cooperative, contributing to greater gender equity in her community.
These testimonies reinforce the importance of models such as Fair Trade which, in addition to promoting economic independence, foster the empowerment of women in highly vulnerable contexts. As the State Fair Trade Coordinator explains, women in producer cooperatives are the main drivers of change, carrying out projects ranging from education to sustainability, all while challenging traditional roles and opening paths for new generations.
The transformation is visible in the economic sphere, in the improvement of health and education and, above all, in the strengthening of women's rights.
AlterNativa3: Engaging with women in Fair Trade
At AlterNativa3, gender equity is a fundamental pillar. The company supports women-led cooperatives, ensuring that its products are not only ecological and sustainable, but also a means for social justice and equality.
Women producers and cooperatives
The people who grow and work with AlterNativa3 are professionals who are aware of the value of their work. They are women who have decided to fight for their rights and who have found in the cooperatives a space to grow and defend their working conditions.
A cooperative is much more than a working group: it is a platform that allows them to sell their production at a fair price, improve their quality of life and eradicate issues such as child exploitation and gender inequality.
Fair Trade and transparency
When you choose Fairtrade products, you guarantee that everyone involved in their production receives a decent payment. AlterNativa3 works exclusively with cooperatives that ensure fair working conditions and promote women's empowerment.
Furthermore, as a cooperative, AlterNativa3 reinvests its profits in sustainability, training and clean energy projects, with a long-term positive impact.
Beyond raw materials: Cooperation projects
AlterNativa3 not only buys coffee, cocoa and sugar, but also promotes international cooperation projects. Thanks to its initiatives, more than 100 young people have been able to access higher education. Many of these women now work in their cooperatives, defending their rights and contributing to the development of their communities.
Every purchase you make is a step towards a fairer and more equitable world. Join the change with AlterNativa3!
Choosing Fairtrade products means contributing to women's empowerment and a more equitable society. If you yourself want to do your bit and enjoy quality products, visit our online shop and make a difference with your consumption.
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