Giving Compass' Take:

• Freeleaf is a handmade accessory brand that offers employment to women at risk of sexual exploitation.

• What are other support systems in place for women who are at-risk and living in marginalized communities?  How can donors advance these types of initiatives? 

• Read about these five traits of truly ethical and sustainable brands. 

Did you know that 75% of trafficking victims are girls and women? That 1 in 3 women globally experience sexual or physical abuse?

The risk factors that contribute to the likeliness of a women being abused or exploitation stems from being marginalized in society – from living in poverty to not having proper access to education, to living with a disability.

Freeleaf works to end exploitation and abuse against women by providing employment to at-risk women. From homeless women, to sexual assault survivors to single moms, Freeleaf provides a platform to marginalized women in Asia to access the tools and resources they need to reach economic independence. Through providing fair wages and working conditions, holistic care (including counseling and medical care), and encouragement to be creative and bold, Freeleaf is changing the lives of the women they work with.

Their #knotforsale campaign is an incredibly empowering message that women are not objects for sale. The double meaning of their use of the word “knot” comes from their handmade products being made from a single strange that is knotted to make beautiful jewelry and homeware accessories.

Read the full article about accessory brand helping victims of sexual exploitation by Jazzmine Raine at Causeartist.