"How to Empower Women in Africa's Fashion Industry ? United Nations Forum on Business & Human Rights", 1 Dec 2015

"Vlisco is not only in Africa to trade, but also to add value to the lives of our stakeholders," insisted Monique Gieskes, Vlisco Group Director of Brand Protection & Corporate Social Investment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...The Dutch company has developed 3 educational programs on the African continent including, The Vlisco Tailor Academy. With presence in DRC, Ghana and Nigeria, the fashion facilitation program welcomes "under-privileged, talented and motivated young girls and women trained to become financially autonomous and contribute to the development of their communities," Gieskes explained...Independent data collected by inspectors show that 83% of the micro-producers involved with Ethical Fashion Initiative manage to send their children to school. In terms of performance enhancement, 75.7% of micro-artisans received training on the job, 94% have been able to acquire new skills and 78% use skills learned to build their own businesses.