Working with the World Bank opened Denica Riadini-Flesch’s eyes to the struggles of local communities in her native country, Indonesia. She realised that what rural workers needed was not aid, but fair and commensurate wages. Having moved to Rotterdam to study and work, she made a conscious decision to return to her homeland with a mission: to change the textile industry in a way that would benefit everyone.
In 2016, she founded Sukkhacitta, a farmto-closet enterprise. Despite the fact that Indonesia is one of the world’s largest clothing manufacturers, less than 2 per cent of its garment and textile workers, the majority of whom are women, earn a living daily wage.
Determined to change the narrative, Denica built an e-commerce platform dedicated to selling high-quality, traditionally crafted clothing handmade by indigenous female artisans. Since then, Sukkhacitta has expanded its scope, and built craft schools for women to perpetuate their indigenous culture. These endeavours have resulted in a 60 per cent average increase in wage earnings, with a ripple effect on the overall well-being of families and societies. As women increasingly take charge of their household’s finances, the nutrition and education of the village’s children improve, laying the foundation for continued sustainable development.
The second problem Denica faced was an environmental one. It is standard practice in the fashion industry to use toxic dyes. Also, almost all of Indonesia’s cotton is imported, and grown on enormous monoculture farms using harmful chemicals. She found her solution in the traditional farming techniques of the very communities she is working with.
この記事は Her World Singapore の March 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Her World Singapore の March 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Dressing For Success
Today's workplace dress codes are more varied than ever, but as the lines blur, we're left wondering: Is dressing down impacting how we show up - and how confident we feel at work?
Power Puff
This '80s skirt trend is popping up on our social media feeds and on the streets.
Is Social Media Really Necessary For Career Success?
Social media platforms are powerful job-hunting and networking tools, but if you don't use them for professional reasons or aren't comfortable posting online, don't worry - there are other ways to improve your career prospects.
PAYING IT FORWARD
When she noticed that women in developing countries were not getting the funding they deserved, Laina Raveendran Greene started Angels of Impact.
FIRING UP SINGAPORE'S INDIE CINEMA SCENE
Nothing makes Karen Tan, co-founder of The Projector, more happy and fulfilled than making a difference to a film-goer's experience. For her, that spells \"f-u-n\" and brings people together. In the third instalment of the \"HER WORLD, HER SPARK\" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Karen about her journey.
WILLA BELLE
ONG is intentional about building the next blocks of her career
Back For Good
Get ready we are now in the halterneck era.
Stick Sunscreen
Using sunscreen is extremely important to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.
Beyond The 9-To-6
According to Her World's annual What Women Want survey, a staggering seven in 10 women in Singapore are willing to take a pay cut for a job that offers better perks and benefits, with a flexible work schedule being a top priority. Are employers here ready to accept flexible arrangements as part of our lexicon?
Leading Singapore's Sustainable Innovations
In this second instalment of the "HER WORLD, HER SPARK" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Oh Chu Xian, founder of deep tech start-up Magorium. Determined to make the construction sector a more sustainable one, she's revolutionising it with a new technology that turns plastic waste into sustainable building materials.