Multi-stakeholder Dialogue on Gender Equality in Tea

100+ attendees | 20+ Speakers | 7+ interactive sessions

Overview

ETP will be hosting a one-day, hybrid discussion about gender equality in the global tea sector on Tuesday 30 May 2023 at Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre, London, and via Zoom.

Recent media coverage has shone a spotlight on the Kenyan tea sector, raising concerns about women’s safety in the workplace. The temptation is to jump to a solution, to react, and to mobilise resources. We are aware of many bilateral conversations, initiatives, plans, and interventions – all of which are well-intentioned – which are creating noise and disruption when the industry needs to respect the local, legal investigations and to await the findings from producer companies’ investigations.

ETP urges all parties – packers, producers, NGOs, donors, certification bodies and other associations - to be patient, to respect the Kenyan authority’s processes, and to align their efforts where possible. The investigations and immediate action to safeguard workers currently underway is a necessary first step, and we need to convene and agree collective, systemic action for the longer term.

Furthermore, we are aware, sadly, that workplace gender based violence and gender inequalities are issues in global supply chains. Therefore we encourage the tea industry to consider lessons learnt from other regions, to look for effective interventions (and the less effective interventions to avoid), and to refer to existing guidance, such as the UN Guiding Principles, before creating new, reactionary or duplicative activities.

ETP co-created the agenda for the discussion on 30 May in consultation with partners such as Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), certification bodies, members, donors, and NGOs. The discussion will focus on the global tea sector, not on one country. Our aim is for the discussion to be constructive and collaborative.

If you are a concerned stakeholder in the tea sector, you are welcome to register for a place. Priority will be given to ETP and ETI members.

Attendees must be employed by a recognised Civil Society Organisation, tea company, or government agency. Note that this will be a dialogue without any media presence.

Agenda

Throughout the day we encourage honest, open debate and discussion. We focus on getting to the core of the issues and getting your questions answered.

In the various breakout sessions, we will concentrate on very specific issues to determine clear takeaways for your organisations.

All times are BST.

Speakers 

The venue

Photography disclaimer

The Ethical Tea Partnership (‘The Organiser’) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at this Gender Dialogue event without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. The Organiser may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by The Organiser including, but not limited to: social media, websites, brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, etc.

To ensure the privacy of individuals, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject.

A person attending an event run by The Organiser who does not wish to have their image recorded for distribution should make their wishes known to the photographer, and/or The Organiser at info@ethicalteapartnership.org in writing of his/her/their intentions and include a photograph. The Organiser will use the photo for identification purposes and will hold it securely and in confidence.

By participating in the Gender Dialogue event or by failing to notify The Organiser, in writing, your desire to not have your photograph used by The Organiser, you are agreeing to release, defend, hold harmless, and indemnify The Organiser from any and all claims involving the use of your picture or likeness.

Any person or organisation not affiliated with The Organiser may not use, copy, alter or modify The Organiser's photographs, graphics, videography or other, similar reproductions or recordings without the advance written permission of an authorised designee from The Organiser.

We thank you for your understanding.