People
GENDER EQUALITY IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN
COS stands for equality and empowerment. Throughout our tier-one supply chain (direct business partners and product-manufacturing partners), we contribute to the work of over 128,000 workers in 12 different countries. Each country has a unique culture, societal norms, legal contexts and levels of gender equality, which can result in women being more likely to be unemployed or have insecure contracts.
Having proper employment is one of the most important means for women’s empowerment and independence – with almost 64% of the workers in the factories in our supply chain being women, we have a responsibility to ensure that they are safe, healthy and empowered both in and outside of their everyday work environment.
We have collaborated with Plan International to develop our gender equality strategy for the supply chain. Together with the H&M Group, we have signed the UN’s Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP) and we are working with our suppliers and other local stakeholders to support our supply chain to meet local laws and International Labour Organisation standards, while striving to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
To create further impact, we have aligned with the H&M Group and Plan International’s strategy to identify four key focus areas to reach our ambition to achieve gender equality in our supply chain: health and safety, career and development, equal pay, and representation.
We are tracking progress data for our Tier 1 supply chain and have already seen a positive trend against our 2020 baseline:
We are tracking progress data for our Tier 1 supply chain and have already seen a positive trend against our 2020 baseline:
Our vision is that women should always be safe and healthy both in and outside of their everyday work environment. We have helped to secure independent grievance mechanisms which enable workers to raise complaints beyond the factory and resolve conflicts.
Access to external aid has improved by 9.9% versus our 2020 baseline, with 96.9% of all COS supplier factories delivering access to external aid.
It is imperative to us that women are represented and have a voice. We have helped introduce regular committee meetings where workers can raise any concerns with management.
The gender gap in our worker representation forums has reached zero – an improvement of 8.2% since we started our strategy.
At COS, we stand for equal pay for work of equal value.
The gender pay gap in the COS supply chain is -7.6% – 0.5% better than our 2020 starting point.
Our goal for 2030 is that women in our supply chain are empowered, fairly treated and safe in their everyday workplace. That means:
- Adequate protection
- Equal representation
- Equal pay
- Equal leadership
To find out more about our latest progress towards creating the future we want to see, download the 2023/24 report here.
You can also read our past reports here:
In addition to the above work, and to further support women in our supply chain, their families and their neighbours, we launched the first of our community investment projects in 2023. Using 100% of the profits from the sale of our COS tote bag, we have invested in partnerships with non-profit organisations to deliver projects that address key gender equality issues in communities surrounding our supply chain.
Find out more about the two initiatives that have benefitted from the funding in Bangladesh and Türkiye below.
In addition to the above work, and to further support women in our supply chain, their families and their neighbours, we launched the first of our community investment projects in 2023. Using 100% of the profits from the sale of our COS tote bag, we have invested in partnerships with non-profit organisations to deliver projects that address key gender equality issues in communities surrounding our supply chain.
Find out more about the two initiatives that have benefitted from the funding in Bangladesh and Türkiye below.
In addition to the above work, and to further support women in our supply chain, their families and their neighbours, we launched the first of our community investment projects in 2023. Using 100% of the profits from the sale of our COS tote bag, we have invested in partnerships with non-profit organisations to deliver projects that address key gender equality issues in communities surrounding our supply chain.
Find out more about the two initiatives that have benefitted from the funding in Bangladesh and Türkiye below.
Yanındayız Derneği, Türkiye
For the second year running, we are funding local organisation Yanındayız Derneği to deliver trainings to improve awareness and understanding of gender equality and gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) issues in the workplace and activate men’s participation in the discussion.
Since launching the initiative in early 2023, we have trained 5,125 female and male workers, including those in the wider community. Approximately 60% of those engaged with the training were invited from outside the factory, showcasing the positive effect our influence has beyond our direct supply chain. To assess the impact of these trainings, Yanındayız, along with Istanbul University, conducted perception-change tests. The results demonstrated a positive shift in awareness and understanding of gender issues, as well as motivation to disrupt gender stereotypes.
During the second year of the partnership, with Yanındayız’s cooperation, we will aim to reach more people in new strategic locations across Türkiye and will also provide additional Women’s Leadership Soft Skill Development Sessions for selected female workers.
Photograph courtesy of Erik Stackpole Undéhn
CARE Bangladesh
Since 2023, we have been working with CARE Bangladesh to fund Women Friendly Spaces (WFS) for women who work in our factories, including their neighbours and friends. These spaces provide education on GBVH, problem solving and decision making, stress management, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and food and nutrition. Additional activities such as inspirational talks by female role models, couple’s cooking competitions and street performances further boost the overall reach and impact. The project is a part of Oporajita – a wider programme initiated by the H&M Foundation.
Between April 2023 – May 2024, 12,090 people have been directly reached through WFS memberships and additional services and we expect approximately 42,158 people have been indirectly reached.
Together with CARE, we will begin work to ensure these Women Friendly Spaces (WFS) are self-sustaining for the long term.
Yanindayiz Dernegi, Türkiye
For the second year running, we are funding local organisation Yanındayız Derneği to deliver trainings to improve awareness and understanding of gender equality and gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) issues in the workplace and activate men’s participation in the discussion.
Since launching the initiative in early 2023, we have trained 5,125 female and male workers, including those in the wider community. Approximately 60% of those engaged with the training were invited from outside the factory, showcasing the positive effect our influence has beyond our direct supply chain. To assess the impact of these trainings, Yanındayız, along with Istanbul University, conducted perception-change tests. The results demonstrated a positive shift in awareness and understanding of gender issues, as well as motivation to disrupt gender stereotypes.
During the second year of the partnership, with Yanındayız’s cooperation, we will aim to reach more people in new strategic locations across Türkiye and will also provide additional Women’s Leadership Soft Skill Development Sessions for selected female workers.
CARE Bangladesh
COS funds the establishment and delivery of women-friendly spaces in local communities close to our supply chain, in partnership with CARE Bangladesh. These spaces provide education on GBVH, stress management, and nutrition, as well as psychosocial support and other counselling to over 4000 women and 1000 family members in their communities. Photograph courtesy of Erik Undehn
CARE Bangladesh
Since 2023, we have been working with CARE Bangladesh to fund Women Friendly Spaces (WFS) for women who work in our factories, including their neighbours and friends. These spaces provide education on GBVH, problem solving and decision making, stress management, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and food and nutrition. Additional activities such as inspirational talks by female role models, couple’s cooking competitions and street performances further boost the overall reach and impact. The project is a part of Oporajita – a wider programme initiated by the H&M Foundation.
Between April 2023 – May 2024, 12,090 people have been directly reached through WFS memberships and additional services and we expect approximately 42,158 people have been indirectly reached.
Together with CARE, we will begin work to ensure these Women Friendly Spaces (WFS) are self-sustaining for the long term.
Photograph courtesy of Erik Stackpole Undéhn