Hamidhas Journey of Voice and Belonging

For 13 years, Hamidha has worked in the stitching department at Skyline, a Fair Trade Certified factory in Coimbatore, South India. As a single mother, she sought stable employment to support her family. In addition to her daily tasks of tailoring, checking, and stitching, she joined a workplace where workers are invited to help decide how Fair Trade Community Development Funds are utilized for democratically elected projects and initiatives. At first, Hamidha focused on her work and kept to herself. Over time, opportunities to participate in the Fair Trade process encouraged her to become more actively involved. “I didn’t want to stay back,” she recalls. “I wanted to be brave and be able to stand in front of the other women.” These opportunities included open meetings, shared information, and a clear process for workers to discuss priorities and agree on how funds should be used. For the past three years, Hamidha has served as an active member and eventually as Chair of the Fair Trade Committee. In this role, she helped organize Women’s Day activities, supported the distribution of festival kits and Fair Trade coupons, and participated in regular committee meetings. During these meetings, workers discussed their needs and reviewed proposals for Community Development Fund investments. To ensure transparency, all decisions and updates were shared on factory notice boards. “Here, everyone gets a say,” Hamidha explains. The most meaningful change for Hamidha has been personal. She now facilitates meetings, speaks on behalf of her coworkers, and encourages other women to take part in committee work. Her experience shows how structured, collective decision-making can create practical spaces for women to contribute, be heard, and take on leadership roles. Through her involvement, Hamidha has strengthened her sense of belonging at work and helped reinforce a culture of shared responsibility that extends beyond individual projects and into everyday community life.