A link between lifesaving healthcare and the flower industry may not be obvious, but in one central Kenyan community flower farming has had far reaching impact, especially for female workers.
In a community where previously childbirth bore a great risk to mothers and their babies alike, now stands a hospital, the Naivasha Women’s Hospital, funded (in part) by premiums generated by seven Fairtrade flower farms in the region. Since its opening in 2013, the hospital has welcomed 14,400 babies into the world.
“Before the hospital was built, women had to give birth at home and they stood little chance of surviving childbirth,” says programme coordinator James Wattuman. “The impact that the hospital has had on the community isn’t just seen with the eyes. We feel it in our hearts. Every time a woman leaves the hospital with their new bundle of joy – I feel like life is giving me a high-five.”
The hospital walls are adorned with beautiful pictures of the flower growers – a tribute to the female flower farm workers whose work has contributed to the building of the hospital.
The impact of Fairtrade certified flower farms have also reached young women in other regions in Kenya – including Harvest Flowers in Athi River. Implementing Fairtrade Standards has greatly improved the educational environment for girls – but not necessarily in ways one would expect.
The benefits of giving girls equal access to education are well known, but despite progress being made on that front, one out of ten girls in Africa still miss out on school for a couple of days every month. Not because of reasons related to access, transport or health. Simply because they go through something that nearly all women go through every month – their menstrual period. Unable to afford sanitary products, many girls would rather stay home than face embarrassment from their fellow pupils.
In the Athi River community, like so many others in Africa, this is often a time of shame and helplessness for young girls.
“Most of the families who live here are very poor, which means that the only meal many of our children receive will be served at school,” says local school headmistress Mrs Marietta Kyalo. “If families can’t afford food how can they afford sanitary towels for their daughters?”
Acknowledging the impact this has on young girls, the Fairtrade Premium Committee decided to put funding towards the problem, which ultimately led to the distribution of free sanitary towels to 12 schools in the local community.
“Since the schools began distributing sanitary towels to female pupils – free of charge – absenteeism has been reduced by up to 60%,” says Samuel Otieno Chair of the Premium Committee. “It’s been the single biggest impact the Premium has had in our community.”
Flowers might not be readily associated with other cash crops, but they are an important source of income to thousands of people in developing countries. And, in Fairtrade flower farm communities, the Premium ensures a level of social upliftment that wouldn’t necessarily be otherwise possible.
Over the past ten years Fairtrade has worked to establish fair trading relationships between European businesses and Kenyan flower producers. Unlike cocoa, Fairtrade flowers is a relatively new sector that has registered significant growth in some European Fairtrade markets such as Switzerland and Germany. An estimated 70% of the roses sold in the UK are imported from Kenya, where up to 2m people rely on the flower industry for an income.
When you buy flowers this Christmas, why not think of the joy that your choice of bouquet can bring? Not just to whoever is hosting your Christmas party, but to the communities in Kenya where women and children are living more fulfilled and healthier lives.
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