The Task Force on Gender Equity (GE-TF) will be holding its fourth and final webinar on Thursday, 3 December 2020, from 16:00 - 18:00 CET, which will focus on addressing the impacts of COVID-19 on women workers in the banana industry.

The agenda for the event can be found below:

WEBINAR: Addressing the impacts of COVID-19 on women workers in the banana industry

16:00 – 16:05: Welcome by the WBF Secretariat

16:05 – 16:10: Introduction by the Chairperson, Jennie Coleman, Equifruit

16:10 – 17:00: Presentations from Expert Panelists 

• Bertha Shinin and Carmen Banegas, SINUTRABE

Dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women workers and the wider community in banana producing regions of Ecuador. A presentation of recent work undertaken to address some of the most urgent issues for workers, and reflection on next steps to support women workers.

• Marike de Peña, Chair of Board of Directors, Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Small Producers and Workers (CLAC)

An overview of key initiatives developed to support workers and small farmers in Latin America and the Caribbean with the impacts of the pandemic, with reference to the role of Fairtrade Premium in supporting farmers during this crisis.

• Juliet Suliwa, Project Coordinator, Malawi Tea 2020 Revitalisation Programme

A presentation on Oxfam’s innovative project designed to tackle sexual harassment and gender-based violence on Malawi’s tea producing farms and plantations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Simon Derrick, Head of Sustainable Development, Blue Skies

A look at company level initiatives implemented to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on agricultural workers in Ghana's fresh fruit industry, with the possibility of sharing learnings and good practice.

For further information on the GE-TF webinar series, contact Camila Reinhardt (FAO) at [email protected] or Holly Woodward-Davey (Banana Link) at [email protected].