Fairtrade standards set clear and strict guidelines to promote gender equality across the supply chain. These standards require producers to:

• Prohibit gender-based discrimination in employment, wages, and working conditions.
• Ensure equal opportunities for women in leadership, decision-making roles, and access to resources.
• Provide a safe and harassment-free workplace for all employees, including policies addressing gender-based violence and discrimination.
• Establish gender committees or designated representatives within producer organizations to address gender-related issues.

Fairtrade NAPP plays a critical role in supporting producers to comply with these standards by offering capacity-building programs, training, and technical support. Through these efforts, producers are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to meet Fairtrade’s gender equality requirements and foster an inclusive working environment.

One of FT NAPP's most effective strategies in addressing gender inequality is its commitment to building the capacity of producer organizations through gender-focused training and workshops.

Fairtrade NAPP supports gender equality and empowers women through diverse programs focused on skill-building, financial literacy, and leadership development. By offering training and resources, NAPP helps women gain the knowledge and confidence to take on leadership roles, manage finances, and improve their economic independence. These initiatives not only promote gender equality within producer organizations but also contribute to the overall social and economic empowerment of women in their communities.

Fairtrade NAPP is in the process of developing a comprehensive Gender Strategy for its entire network for which Gender Strategy Consultation has been completed in 05 countries across Asia. This strategy will outline concrete steps to promote gender equality across all Fairtrade-certified organizations in the region. It will focus on increasing women’s participation in leadership roles, enhancing access to resources and training, and addressing the unique challenges women face in agriculture and trade.

Fairtrade NAPP has established "Gender Leadership schools" within Fairtrade-certified organizations to provide gender-sensitive training to both men and women. These schools are designed to promote gender awareness, challenge traditional gender norms, and empower women to take on leadership roles within their communities and organizations. Gender Leadership schools have been established for all 03 regions: South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Pacific.

Over 100+ participants from 12 countries have graduated from Gender Leadership School with improved decision-making and management skills and can take voluntary management roles in farmers’ organizations and their communities.

Fairtrade NAPP’s Gender Equality and Non-Discriminatory Policy ensures equal opportunities and participation for all, addressing gender imbalances within its operations and the broader Fairtrade NAPP system. It includes mechanisms for reporting and addressing gender-based violence, harassment, and discrimination. Producers are required to have policies in place to prevent these issues, and FT NAPP provides training on how to effectively implement these policies and respond to incidents.

The policy eliminates gender-based discrimination and violence, ensuring women access Fairtrade benefits, resources, and capacity-building opportunities. It promotes gender mainstreaming, integrating equality into all activities.

In cases where violations of gender equality standards are identified, Fairtrade NAPP works closely with producer organizations and Social Compliance Unit to develop remediation and corrective action plans that promote gender parity, ensure equal access to Fairtrade benefits, and eliminate discriminatory practices. This may involve additional training, restructuring of leadership teams to ensure women’s participation, or targeted interventions to improve workplace safety and inclusivity.

Fairtrade NAPP encourages producer organizations to allocate premium funds to projects that directly benefit women, families, and communities. Specific ways in which the premium is used include: 

• Education and Health: Premium funds are often used to provide scholarships for girls, adult literacy programs for women, and healthcare services focused on women’s health and well-being.
• Economic Empowerment: The premium is also invested in vocational training, entrepreneurship programs, and income-generating activities for women. This helps women achieve financial independence and enhances their ability to contribute to household and community-level decision-making.
• Childcare and Family Support: Some producer organizations use the Fairtrade Premium to establish childcare centres and family support services, freeing up women’s time to engage more fully in agricultural activities and leadership roles.

Fairtrade NAPP is actively involved in advocacy programs to promote gender equality not only within the Fairtrade system but also in the wider agricultural and trade sectors. Through these programs, it raises awareness about the importance of gender equality, engages both men and women in discussions about shared responsibility, and works to change discriminatory practices.

Fairtrade NAPP also engages with local and national governments, civil society organizations, and international bodies to influence policy and promote gender-sensitive legislation that supports women in agriculture. Advocacy efforts focus on issues such as equal pay, women’s access to land and credit, and protection against gender-based violence in the workplace.

To maximize the impact of its gender equality initiatives, Fairtrade NAPP collaborates with a wide range of international and regional organizations, development agencies, and donors. These partnerships provide critical funding and technical support for programs that promote women’s empowerment, gender-sensitive training, and the development of gender equality strategies. This funding also helps support gender schools, leadership training for women, and economic empowerment programs.

For example: The European Union provides significant funding support to various programs and projects aimed at enhancing sustainability, gender equality, and economic development within Fairtrade NAPP and its producer organizations such as the establishment of Gender leadership schools. It also helps finance programs targeting gender equality, skills development, fair labour practices, supporting producers, especially women, to gain leadership roles, improve productivity, and strengthen community resilience.

Fairtrade certification helps producers access international markets that value ethical and sustainable products. By supporting producers comply with gender equality standards, it helps them enhance their reputation, which can increase demand for their products.

Fairtrade NAPP also gives special preference to women’s participation in trade fairs and other market-access initiatives, providing them with opportunities to promote their products, connect with buyers, and expand their market reach. It leads targeted campaigns and awareness programs, communicates impacts of gender focussed programs and success stories highlighting the importance of equal opportunities and women's empowerment to consumers, businesses, and the broader public, promoting ethical trade practices and the value of supporting women-led initiatives in the supply chain.