Basha
Fair trade, social enterprise Basha employs at-risk women and survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation in Bangladesh. This woman empowering initiative provides vulnerable women with dignified work and a safe haven.
In the Bengali language Basha means 'house' and Asha means 'hope' and through dignified work, Basha is building a house of hope for women.
These resilient artisan women complete a training and rehabilitation program before beginning work in a healing, supportive environment. They have access to training programs, including literacy and life skills, access to medical care, counselling and free on-site day care for their children in a safe and stimulating environment.
Basha is committed to fair trade and its principles and is a member of the ECOTA Fair Trade Federation, Bangladesh's local fair trade certifier, and is currently working on their application for the WFTO. Meanwhile, Basha continues to promote ethical trade & exceed Fair Trade principles . More information on their values and practices are available here.
Basha is working tirelessly to break the cycle of poverty for women in Bangladesh. These beautiful one-of-a-kind, heirloom pieces provide freedom and opportunity to the women who handcraft them.
Buying a Basha kantha quilt gives brave women the chance to leave behind past traumas and social stigma and create a brighter future for themselves and their families.
"Through dignified work, Basha provides a sustainable livelihood for women at risk and survivors of trafficking. Women gain job skills and the opportunity to develop into leaders and entrepreneurs in a healthy, healing supportive environment.
We are creating a society where girls and women are empowered, valued, accepted and have confidence to contribute to their family, community and nation. Basha dreams of a day when women are not at risk of exploitation and don't live in fear."
— BASHA