"C&A's response", 7 November 2022

1. In response to the findings in the report, what actions have been taken by C&A to identify, prevent and remediate GBVH?
2. How has C&A engaged with the designated stakeholder (AFWA) towards remediation, and what have been the concrete outcomes of this engagement?

After your report became known in April, we entered into a constructive dialogue with AFWA. They were able to provide us with more detailed information on which we started the investigation against a particular supplier, based on unannounced audits. During the course of this investigation, we have maintained a constant exchange with AFWA. As the investigation is still going on, we can’t share further details yet. We continue our constant dialogue with AFWA and will share the outcomes.

3. To what extent have steps taken toward remediation and prevention- if any- been decided and implemented in collaboration with the stakeholder?

Independently of this investigation, we became a member of the Empower@Work initiative. This project has a multi-stakeholder approach and involves civil society, multi-stakeholder initiatives and brands, such as Cares, Better Work, BSR HERProject and the P.A.C.E. Program. The idea is to bring together the leading women empowerment programs in our industry to drive scale and impact. Empower@Work goes beyond workplace programs and shall bring up women’s voices. By the joint approach we are able to reach scale and a greater number of workers, particularly women and drive impact. The program also focuses on workplace relationships that enable better and more effective interactions between workers and management and involve men as allies. We expect to roll out the program in the course of 2023.