Ethical trade in African horticulture: gender, rights and participation

Codes of conduct for ethical trade have been criticised for failing to consider gender issues or extend to temporary workers. In response, this paper explores ways to develop codes that are effective and inclusive of all workers, including female and temporary workers. The research:analyses how ethical trade can enhance the economic and social rights of women and men workers in African export horticultureidentifies best practice in implementing gender-sensitive ethical trade based on worker and stakeholder participation.The paper presents findings from research in the Zambian horticultural industry, among farms using a number of codes. It finds that while there are examples of good practice on the farms, there are a number of specific ways forward for this industry, including in relation to:company policies and worker educationjob securitysupport for women in relation to domestic responsibilitieselimination of harassment and abuseimproved health and safetybetter management and supervision.The paper argues that the success of these actions depends on instituting a process through which the voices of all workers can be heard in an ongoing manner. It finds that Ethical trade could make a positive contribution to this sustained process of improvement if a number of changes are made to the way codes are implemented and audited. These changes centre around the adoption of a participatory, multi-stakeholder approach which would involve:participatory social auditing tools: participatory tools such as focus group discussions and group exercises are more effective for uncovering sensitive or contentious issues (such as sexual harassment and discrimination) than individual 'checklist' interviewsa process approach: one-off audits with little follow-up work, should be replaced by having an ongoing, sustainable system of code implementation, monitoring, feedback and improvementstakeholder engagement: is critical to the success of participatory social auditing, and should involve stakeholders external to the industry (eg. trade unions and NGOs), particularly to ensure that the voices of more marginalised workers are heard and verifying information resulting from audits. Local organisations that are able to reflect women's interests are important as women workers themselves may lack the confidence and skills to do soa local multi-stakeholder initiative: is one way of institutionalising stakeholder participation and a process approach to ethical trade. It should include representatives from all stakeholder groups and would provide guidance, oversee code implementation and facilitate auditing on a basis that is mutually agreed.