Working to End Gender-Based Violence in Fashion Supply Chains

“The right of women to live free from abuse and harassment is starting to unite the world, as people rise up to say: enough is enough,” states CEO Scott Leonard of Indigenous. A passionate man with sandy blonde hair looks more like a surfer than fashionista – but his clothes are impeccable and his attitude impressive as someone who isn’t out to make a buck over wellbeing.

An unexpected down to earth man who truly cares, explains his philosophy, “In the United States, this movement may have ignited from the disturbing collective experience of electing a President who not only doesn’t seem to respect women, but as far as I am concerned has a history of abusing and objectifying them as well. As a father of three strong, intelligent young women, I am overwhelmed with concern. As the CEO of a fashion brand, I am compelled to find new ways to take mindful action, and to enable others to do the same.”

What Leonard is expressing is a problem that stretches to all places—from congress to casting rooms, from street corners to factories and homes—often occurring behind closed doors and without justice for the victims, or repercussions for the victimizers.

“We can no longer hide from the truth of this ongoing abuse, or pretend that it is someone else’s problem to fix.”

He went on to share a story about a beauty pageant in Lima that made headlines in 2017 when contestants stated facts about abuse and harassment instead of body measurements. These facts were true and shocking: more than 25% of Peruvian girls and teenagers are abused in their schools; over 70% of women in Peru suffer street harassment. The list went on.

“We care immensely about the artisans in the INDIGENOUS supply chain.  The majority of our fashion has been knit in Peru for the last twenty years, so we comprehend the scope of the problem. Peru can be a harsh place for women. Lima is ranked as the 5th most dangerous big city for women in the world. This widespread harassment and abuse is why the INDIGENOUS fashion brand helps fund job training programs, shelters, and childcare for women escaping domestic abuse in the country.”

INDIGENOUS has a unique formula for clothes where they employ local artisans in what are called ‘nuclear family businesses’ as small hubs recognized by the local government. These nuclear family businesses basically are networks of local artisans, and employing them helps INDIGENOUS avoid slave labor that is so entrenched in the world of apparel. Yet supporting our own artisans and leading by example can only go so far to address this overwhelming problem plaguing not just Peru, but the entire world. That’s why INDIGENOUS created a collection of clothing that helps END gender-based violence in fashion supply chains. All retail profits go to the pioneering non-profit Global Fund for Women.

It is time, dollars are like votes. And that these votes are an effective way to create change and progress. None of us want to support fashion companies—or elected officials for that matter—that neglect, deny, or abuse the rights of women. Not only will each purchase help the women artisans in the INDIGENOUS supply chain, profits will also directly empower women garment workers around the world to stand up for their rights.

“It’s time we each step up and make our voices heard… Not just for women in our own country, but for the victimized and the disempowered everywhere. Let’s raise our voices loud in support of the human rights of all women.”