On International Women’s Day, RISE is calling upon brands, buyers, and suppliers within the global garment, footwear, and home textiles industries to join forces with financial service providers. This initiative aims to create a more resilient future for the sector and its predominantly female workforce, many of whom face barriers to accessing digital banking and achieving financial stability.
Christine Svarer, RISE Executive Director, explains:
“Addressing these issues requires a collaborative, 360-degree approach, which RISE facilitates by bringing together global buyers, suppliers, financial service providers, and local training organisations. When these different stakeholders jointly invest in digital wages, the benefits are significant: efficiency gains at the factory level, greater transparency across the supply chain, and market expansion opportunities for financial service providers. For workers, especially women, digital wages provide a pathway to financial health and resilience.”
The #WhenWomenRISE campaign launched on March 6, 2025, showcases how collaboration within the industry can lead to individual success and societal improvements. Supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, the campaign features stories from garment factory workers and managers in Cambodia, highlighting the positive effects of wage digitalisation and financial training programs implemented by RISE since 2021.
RISE has partnered with global brands, buyers, and financial service providers since 2012, supporting 244 workplaces and 420,000 workers worldwide—58% of whom are women. Outcomes include improved financial decision-making, increased savings, and greater confidence in handling unexpected expenses.
The initiative has expanded to reach over 730,000 workers in 583 workplaces across nine countries since its launch in 2023. RISE is committed to promoting equality by addressing critical issues such as workplace harassment, financial inclusion, and workers’ rights in global supply chains.
