SIX ITEMS CHALLENGE 2020 - LABOUR BEHIND THE LABEL WITH SABEENA AHMED



I'd like to begin this blog with love and gratitude for my beloved grandmother who returned to her maker March 2020.



IN MEMORIAM



With my beloved grandmother Shamsun Nisa who returned to her maker during the Six Items Challenge 2020



Thank you for being the strong selfless woman who inspires my soul.



You taught me to live my life with dignity, honesty and compassion.



May God, Allah azza wa'ajal bless you with the highest rank in Jannat-ul-Ferdose, Paradise, Aameen!



Miss you and love you always Nani! X



 



SIX ITEMS CHALLENGE 2020 WITH LABOUR BEHIND THE LABEL



Hello and Assalaam Alaikum (peace and blessings) everyone,



Thanks for dropping by.



So here I am for the eighth consecutive year participating in the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label.



This year the challenge commences 26th February - 9th April 2020. 



I have decided to participate and support the Six Items Challenge for the eighth year because I started to campaign for garment and factory workers while caring for my mother who had been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.



The six items challenge means I choose six items of clothing to wear for six weeks.



Don't worry!



This does not include under garments or exercise gear. You can wear an endless supply of these. :)



This year I hope to up-cycle some of the clothes my mother purchased for me before she passed away.



It is a long term ambition to design a fairtrade slow fashion collection in memory of my beautiful mother Mrs Meshar Mumtaz Bano and support fair trade certified cotton farmers, sustainable and ethical producers.



My beloved mother was a great advocate for women's empowerment and education.



I believe she would have been happy and proud of me to continue my campaigning for the millions of countless individuals producing clothes and accessories in factories and workshops around the world.



Hopefully by the end of the Six Week Challenge I would have educated a few people and raised a few pounds/dirhams.



 



WHAT IS FAST FASHION?



Fast fashion is a term the fashion industry uses to entice consumers to purchase new trends, products and accessories every six to eight weeks. Some collections can be produced within a 12 day time frame.



Most of the products are cheap, poor quality and mass produced by workers in factories, work shops around the world.



Workers are paid low salaries, endure long hours and work in poor conditions to support their families.



Many are as young as 14 are the only bread winners and often forfeit the chance of a decent education and future



Many factories use hazardous chemicals to dye their fabrics and this water is discharged into rivers and the sea polluting eco systems and depleting fish stocks.



I hope to record vlogs and raise awareness about garment workers over the next coming weeks.



Best regards to all the Six Items Challenge participants.



Love and regards Sabeena X



 



COVID-19: CALL ON BRANDS TO STEP UP AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEIR CLOTHES



WHAT YOU CAN DO?



A Living Wage is a Human Right. Sadly there are many big brands who are refusing to commit to paying for orders completed or in production due to the Corona Virus pandemic.



Please sign the petition, share widely and tell the Big Brands to #PayUp!



To read more about Labour Behind The Label's COVID-19 campaign please click on the link here.



https://labourbehindthelabel.org/covid-19-support-workers/



The Clean Clothes Campaign has also launched a campaign for garment workers to be paid.



The poster below states the brands who have made no commitment to pay in full for orders completed and in production.



Please view the poster above.



The Clean Clothes Campaign Facebook Page



 



If you feel inspired, sign up and take the challenge with me next year.



With the help of my creative director Helen we've created a little reminder of how easy it is to support fairtrade producers and be ethical at the same time.



We hope you will find it useful.



 



TOP 10 TIPS TO FAIR TRADE AND ETHICAL SHOPPING



1. Seek Fairtrade, organic, slave free and eco friendly labels.



2. Support socially conscious brands.



3. Buy only what you love and be selective



and ask 'Who made my clothes?'



'Do I really need to buy it?'



4. Do your research if you can't see where the product is made the company does not want to know.



5. Think beyond the end result where did the sourcing happen and what is product made of?



6. Reduce waste by avoiding disposable products.



7. Shop locally and support independent designers and boutiques.



8. Shop vintage and upcycled for truly unique products.



9. Speak up - ask designers and shops where their products are made.



10. Make it yourself and impress your friends with your new found skills.



HAPPY SHOPPING, SEWING AND CRAFTING! :)



 



More Questions we all need to ask ourselves...



Think twice when out and about conducting that much needed retail therapy.



Do you really need that skirt, blouse, dress, shoes, bags?



Could you purchase an ethical alternative that supports artisans, doesn't exploit animals and protects the environment?



IF the answers are yes than find out where the shops are in your local area.



Do you have a creative streak?



Why not up-cycle that old blouse, dress or jacket you just can't throw away. Take up sewing or enrol on a fashion design course at your local college maybe even invite a friend or two.



Alternatively, if like me you like a good bargain, how about walking down to your local charity shop, visit your local car boot sale or donate your clothing to organisations who support millions without adequate clothing.



A recent survey indicated that American consumers throw away 68 pounds of clothing in their lifetime. Clothes and accessories that take years to decompose in landfills.



Why not host ''The True Cost'' a documentary showcasing fast fashion and the treatment of garment workers around the world and organise a clothes swap.



 



Why wait?



Start today...inspire others and be an ethical conscious consumer, support garment workers, fairtrade and ethical producers receive a decent living wage and good working conditions.



Thank you for reading and Congratulations to the Sixer's who participated in the Six Items Challenge 2020.



I look forward to next year.



Love and regards



Sabeena



 



FURTHER READING AND LINKS



Dawn News - Workers Protest for payment of wages, dues in Karachi



The Nation - Coronavirus at the Bottom of the Supply Chain



Ethical Corp.Com - Millions of garment workers face destitution as fashion brands cancel orders



Labour Behind The Label



Clean Clothes Campaign



Six Items Challenge 2019



Six Items Challenge 2018



Six Items Challenge 2017



Six Items Challenge 2016



Six Items Challenge 2012 - 2015



https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogging-with-a-purpose/



 




https://youtu.be/-EbK0WIhNf4
https://youtu.be/MPVC1ZDeQ5I
https://youtu.be/M0CJOlipL1o
https://youtu.be/L4XuoSVi01c
https://youtu.be/CuzBr1adDK0
https://youtu.be/Pxbe1tzY8IM

Like this story?
Join World Pulse now to read more inspiring stories and connect with women speaking out across the globe!
Leave a supportive comment to encourage this author
Tell your own story
Explore more stories on topics you care about