Buy ethical gifts on Valentine's Day to help make poverty history
09 February 2008
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 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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Key facts |
- British shoppers spend over £1 million a day on fruit and
vegetables from Africa.
- Nearly a third of the roses we import in the UK come from Kenya.
- Kenya is the world's largest producer of roses - by
meeting demand for roses used on 14 February, exporters earn more
than from the rest of the year's sales combined.
- Between 40,000 and 70,000 are employed on Kenyan flower farms
- indirectly 1.5 million are employed.
- Roses flown in from Africa can use
less energy than those grown in Europe.
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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
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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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