Sustainable Fashion

Some of the women who make our clothes don't earn enough to live on – making them poorer and less able to change their circumstances.

Despite long hours away from their families, working full-time plus many hours of overtime, big clothing brands don't pay garment workers enough money to cover the basics of life: food and decent shelter.

Together, we urge clothing companies to take the crucial next step in creating a fairer fashion industry.

Sabrina [pictured], is a garment worker in Dhaka, Bangladesh with the What She Makes campaign. Sabrina has been working in garments for over 12 years now and is the sole provider for three children who live in the village.

She does shirt collar scissoring with a target of 2000 pieces in a day. With a wage of 9300 Bangladeshi Taka, shockingly, Sabina is left with nothing after sending money for the children and paying bills.

A living wage is not a luxury or a privilege. It's a universal human right for every working person around the world, including the women who make our clothes.

Bangladesh is now buying cotton directly from Burkino Faso

This helps make the cotton supply chain stronger. Farmers who use ethical and fair ways of working can produce steady amounts of cotton. This is good for suppliers and for local farming communities.

However, there are still challenges. Global market changes can affect how safe and steady this trade is.

In Burkina Faso, Oxfam continues to support local leaders and help communities grow stronger.

The example below from Boulsa, Burkina Faso, shows this work in action.

In Boulsa, Burkina Faso, local groups supported by Oxfam are working with community leaders like Boureima to help people adapt to the changing climate and protect water sources.

As more people move into the area and local resources come under pressure, Boureima’s community has taken action. They are using farming methods that are better for the environment and speaking up for better local services, like roads and water systems.

In 2024, with support from the community and partner BMZ, a new borehole was built. This replaced an old well that was nearly empty from overuse.

The BMZ project is designed in collaboration with other humanitarian and development organisations to support the State's efforts to manage these multifaceted crises, particularly in the central North region.

The project aims to reach 70,000 people, and it supports the most vulnerable local host communities. 70% are internally displaced persons, and 30% are young people, women, and households of people with specific needs (particularly people living with a disability).

Take part in Oxfam’s Second Hand September. Shop second hand to take a stance against fast fashion and dress for a fairer world.