International Women's Day 2020

As we head towards International Women's Day on 8th March 2020, we wanted to give you an update on last year's post, which you can read here.

This year's theme is #EachforEqual, which aims to raise awareness against gender bias and give individuals the chance to take action for equality.

Last year, we explored the ways in which our chocolate supplier, Callebaut, is helping to empower female cocoa farmers through the Cocoa Horizons initiative.

This independent, non-profit organisation focuses on "cocoa farmer prosperity and helping [to] build self-sustaining farming communities that protect nature and children." (Cocoa Horizons)

According to the Cocoa Horizon's website: "Cocoa communities often lack basic infrastructure and services, including schools, literacy and vocational training, access to safe water, and basic healthcare services. Gender imbalance also affects the sustainability of cocoa farming communities, with women having limited opportunities to build skills and generate income."

Fighting for equality

As a business founded by a female entrepreneur, we believe that women should be given the same opportunities as men, no matter where they reside.

Fortunately, part of the revenue of the chocolate we buy and use across all our chocolate pizzas and gifts, is invested by Callebaut into training programmes for women in West Africa, under the Cocoa Horizons Initiative.

These programmes empower women to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into real businesses and become successful cocoa farmers. 

The most recent impact report published by the Cocoa Horizons initiative for the year 2018/2019, shows that there are now approximately 20,236 women who are Cocoa Horizon registered farmers, which is yet another positive increase upon last year and now makes up approximately 19% of the total number of registered farmers. 

Whilst we are aware that this percentage is still relatively low compared to the number of male cocoa farmers, we feel that by continuing our suport with Callebaut, we are making some progess in the fight for women's equality amongst cocoa farmers.

(Image credit: Image courtesy of Callebaut)