Saheli Women
Our Approach
For us, the quality of a garment and the conditions in which it is made are closely connected.
Our ethics
Investing in women’s economic empowerment is the key to achieving women’s rights and gender equality.
When women have access to work, societies thrive, economies strengthen and become more equitable, and the education of women and girls improves, breaking the cycle of poverty.
Fair work
Fair, dignified and meaningful employment.
Saheli Women exists to provide women with access to fair, dignified, and meaningful employment. Our artisans earn a fair wage and work shorter days than is typical in garment production.
We actively remove employment barriers for women by providing skills training, transport assistance, health insurance, on-site childcare, flexible work options, and self-managed work schedules and holidays. We consciously create a safe and welcoming workplace that is free from gender, religious, and caste discrimination.
Code of conduct
The principles we work by.
We are committed to the fair trade principles outlined in the Ethical Fashion Initiative’s Code of Conduct.
- Employment is freely chosen
- Freedom of association is respected
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic
- Child labour is not allowed
- A fair wage is paid
- Discrimination is prohibited
- Regular employment is provided
- Treatment is never harsh or inhumane
- Working hours are not excessive
- Women design their own work schedule
Materials & making
Made with care for what it is made from.
We avoid synthetic fibres throughout our production, choosing natural, deadstock or recycled material, and we look after what is left over.
Handloom weaving
We weave our own cotton and silk on the handloom.
Upcycled saris
Second-hand saris given a new life, keeping the stories their fabrics hold.
Natural dyes
Colour from flowers and plants in our natural dye process.
AZO-free inks
Vegetable and natural dyes and sun-activated pigment inks. We do not work with AZO inks.
Nothing wasted
Fabric offcuts become linings, packing bags, samples and quilting.
Without plastic
Shell or coconut buttons, and reusable cotton or upcycled sari bags for packaging.
Sustainability
A fashion supply chain that values people and the planet over profit and growth.
Our supply chain and the way we work as a slow fashion atelier are based on the principles of Earth Democracy. We do not compromise on our values, whatever the size of the client.
