Impacts of Circular Strategies on Gender Equality, Job Quality and Sustainable Livelihoods of Workers
Through a gender lens, this research aims to assess how the implementation of Circular Economy strategies affects the quality of jobs, gender equality and the livelihood of workers in the fashion value chain.
There is little evidence about how Circular Economy (CE) strategies will create quality jobs, improve livelihoods and promote gender equality. Although the CE shows today compelling business cases with clear environmental and economic value created, it has been criticized for its weak social dimension. Within the fashion industry, CE justifies its social impact with jobs created through circular strategies implemented, in particular at the later stages of the value chain (VC), such as rental, repair, resale, and recycling. However, there are direct consequences for workers at the earlier stages too. Since the industry is highly feminized, with more than 75% of female workers, women are most affected.
Structural imbalances
Using a gender lens paired with a system change approach will help to identify the structural imbalances of circular strategies collaboratively. Without the appropriate assessment, CE might run in the conventional "business as usual" scenario and perpetuate the existing problems in the garment industry of gender discrimination, poverty and unequal distribution of power and wealth.
We follow a mixed-methods structure. It applies qualitative, as well as quantitative methods in order to collect and analyse data in the different phases of the research project. Given that the Fashion Industry is a complex system with multilevel dimensions, a gender lens is a good way to analyse the impact and inform possible recommendations for both policymakers and corporations as it takes a closer look at the needs and roles of men and women in an economic and social setting. It also highlights potential trade-offs and thus gives a complete view of the problem and possible alternatives.
This research provides a space for different stakeholders to come together to help identify barriers and drivers and enrich potential recommendations that can then be used to improve policymaking within the textile sector. We also want to promote the creation of a community of practice, we hope that we can motivate them to spark collaborations to maximise those economic and non-economic factors.
The project runs from 2020 to 2024 and is funded by the Laudes Foundation.