Whether it's chocolates, flowers or an item of jewellery, this Valentine's Day you can do your bit against world poverty by choosing an ethical gift for your loved one. By buying roses from Kenya, chocolates from Ghana, or jewellery that doesn't come with a human cost, you can help make this Thursday a day not just of romance, but one that benefits people in the world's poorest countries.

And there's an added reason to think before you buy, with research showing that two-thirds of women, and over half of men, would be impressed to receive an ethical Valentine's gift from their partner.

Shopping ethically can mean checking labels to see where a product comes from, looking out for the Fairtrade logo, and asking retailers about the living and working conditions of the people who produced the goods they're selling.

You can also consult the web directory of the British Association of Fair Trade Shops to find out where to buy ethically in your area.

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Kenyan roses make an extra special gift

Although flower farms in Kenya are still reeling from the post-election violence, management and staff have worked hard to ensure that flowers reach their market in time for Valentine's Day. It is now more important than ever to buy flowers from Kenya, with jobs and livelihoods threatened by the current crisis.

Nearly a third of the roses we import in the UK come from Kenya, and the African country is the third biggest exporter of flowers in the world. In fact, the huge international demand for Kenyan flowers accounts for almost 10% of the total income it receives from exports. And this demand is growing, which means more jobs for poor people.

Currently, between 40,000 and 70,000 people, about 75% of them women, are employed on Kenyan flower farms. On average, they work for eight hours a day, six days a week, earning about £45 a month. DFID commissioned a survey of some of these workers, to find out how life is for them on the farms. The results show that, though most farms maintain at least basic labour standards, feelings amongst employees are mixed.

As one man said:

"I love working here because I am treated well. The company assists in paying hospital bills and we are served with tea and bread during the 10.00 a.m. break, and boiled maize and beans for lunch. The company also provides me with transport to and from the farm, as well as a uniform and protective clothing for free."

Another worker - a 27-year-old woman - spoke of how, over just a few years, thanks largely to her secondary school education, she was promoted to more responsible and better-paid roles:

"In 1999 I was promoted to a supervisor in charge of three green houses...in 2001 I was again promoted to a senior supervisor in charge of five green houses...and in 2003 I became the company’s assistant manager in production."

But as one 50-year-old employee said:

"Although I have worked on this flower farm for seven years, I have not been able to make any investments, such as buying land or constructing a permanent house. Apart from being able to pay, with difficulty, the fees of my children through the cooperative, I have not been able to own much over the years."

Another farm worker spoke of how, despite having access to clean water, she lives in very cramped living quarters, and her wages don't give her enough money to buy basic household items. So, although exports of flowers from Kenya are doing well, and life is getting better for many poor people as a result, there is still some way to go before life is rosy for all those involved in the trade.

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Play your part in reducing poverty

Image courtesy of Divine Chocolate Ltd

Encouraging trade is crucial for the long-term development of poor countries. Trade enables farmers to earn their way out of poverty - it gives them the chance to take control of their own lives rather than staying dependent on aid. DFID is committed to making trade work for poor countries, pushing for trading arrangements that allow them to sell their goods more freely around the world and at decent prices.

Individuals can play their part too. As consumers in wealthy countries, we can all help by making the right choices about how we shop. If producers in the developing world get fair prices and steady demand for their goods, they have a better chance of sending their children to school and covering the cost of their families' healthcare. Currently, British shoppers spend over £1 million a day on fruit and vegetables from Africa, and it is estimated that almost a million people in Africa depend at least partly on these purchases. We can boost African economies and improve livelihoods through "positive purchasing".

And buying African goods shouldn't give you too many worries about your carbon footprint. Roses flown in from Africa can use less energy than those grown in Europe, because they're not grown in heated greenhouses which emit relatively high levels of carbon dioxide. The money cost of the emissions caused by transporting Kenyan flowers by air has been calculated at £4.5 million, which is a small fraction of the total value of this £52 million trade. It is important that we continue to support the growth of poor countries' economies in the way that we shop. This Valentine's Day provides a golden opportunity to do that.

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Links

• Press release - Buy a Kenyan rose this Valentine's day
• How we fight poverty: Trade
• Trade: Did you know? - Key facts and figures
• Ethiopia's flower farms, read the feature A good year for the roses in Developments magazine.
• Case Study: Organic fruit from Ghana: Exports a lifeline for farmers
• Case Study: Read about the Sri Lankan lingerie manufacturer, MAS Holdings, which supplies to UK high street stores
• International Trade Department
• Millennium Development Goal 8 - Aid, trade, growth and global partnership
• Kenya Flower Council 
• Think how you shop! Ethical choices for a fairer world