The headlines should really read like this: “Influential politicians, actors and celebrities wear a t-shirt emblazoned with ‘This is what a feminist looks like’ to raise awareness.”
Instead, newspapers have been rife in the past few days with statements ranging from“The feminist t-shirt scandal” to “Feminist t-shirts sweatshop row”.
Fashion retailer Whistles, Elle magazine and the Fawcett Society, a women’s rights activist group, recently collaborated to produce a range of t-shirts, phone cases and clutch bags stating the powerful message: ‘This is what a feminist looks like”. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Labour leader Ed Milliband and Deputy Labour Party leader Harriet Harman have all been pictured wearing the t-shirts since. Even Benedict Cumberbatch donned the shirt for an Elle photoshoot recently. Stylish, simple and actually a wearable item of clothing which multitasks by also making a strong yet necessary statement, it was in the opinion of many that it could do no wrong. Enter the Mail on Sunday.
On 2 November, the Mail on Sunday published an investigation on the production of these t-shirts, claiming that they were produced in a factory on the island of Mauritius, where women apparently sleep 16 to a room. The newspaper also reported that in the factory owned by Compagnie Mauricienne de Textile, women earned only 6000 rupees a month, the equivalent of £120. Dr Eva Neitzert, deputy chief executive at the Fawcett Society, said they had been assured by Whistles that the clothing was made in ‘ethical standards’.
The latest news on the issue has been a complete denial by the Fawcett Society of these claims for unethical production. The womens’ rights group has stated that it has seen evidence which ‘categorically refutes’ the sweatshop claims. Neitzert goes on to state that: ‘We are pleased to confirm that we have today seen expansive and current evidence from Whistles that the CMT factory in Mauritius they used to produce our ‘This is what a feminist looks like’ T-shirt conforms to ethical standards. We have been particularly pleased to receive evidence that 100% of workers are paid above the government-mandated minimum wage.”.
This brings us to the bigger problem here. Women’s rights are a global issue which should be addressed in respect to every single female in order to bring about gender equality. However, creating speculation that these t-shirts were produced in awful, condemnable conditions is not going to bring us any closer to the goal we all want to achieve. Now, because of the Mail on Sunday’s sensationalist rampage, these t-shirts carry a taboo. Even if they were produced in the most ethical conditions possible, they will be unwearable now. What was once an excellent way in which to spread the word of feminism and gender equality is now deemed unwearable, so last season.
Are these accusations a backlash against what could be concern for the popularity of feminism? Or possibly a distasteful way in which to undermine those brave enough to wear their thoughts on their clothes, which for some politicians has meant in the House of Commons? Of course, the issue of working conditions for women is paramount. Yet so is the equality of women all over the world. And that is what feminism looks like. If only I could say it on a t-shirt!
Photo Credits:
bbc.co.uk
Fawcett Society
elle.co.uk