IKEA Social Initiative supports a project run by UNICEF promoting children's rights in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, from where IKEA sources many of its carpets.
The aim is to prevent and eliminate child labour in the carpet belt by addressing root causes, such as debt, poverty, lack of access to education, disability and ill health.
The project currently includes 500 villages and will benefit more than 1 million people through women's self-help groups, alternative learning centres, health initiatives and an income-generation initiative. More than 80,000 children who would otherwise have no opportunity to attend school now have access to education. Read more about the education, health, self-help groups and income-generation initiatives below.
Women's empowerment The establishment of women's self-help groups has been a key driver of change in the villages, raising awareness about children's rights, and health and nutrition. By putting aside small sums of money, these women create their own funds, so they do not have to borrow money from unscrupulous money lenders. Women can now help themselves in times of medical emergency or pressing family need, breaking the cycle of debt that forces parents to put their children to work.
Alternative Learning Centres Alternative Learning Centres help children not attending school to catch up and re-join the mainstream, formal government-provided education system. These schools are run by local instructors specially trained in the "joyful learning" technique. Villagers have seen the effects of positive learning methods on their children and are consequently more aware of the importance of education, health, nutrition and children's rights.
Health and nutrition initiative Healthy Start for Children is a health initiative of IKEA and UNICEF, aiming to promote children´s health, through immunisations, vitamins and nutritions. The project will reach more than 12 million children. Children and mothers are immunised against common illnesses such as measles, polio, diphtheria and whooping cough. They also receive preventive medical treatment, such as deworming medicines and vitamin supplements, and are given mosquito nets to protect against malaria. Mothers are encouraged to breast-feed their babies, which greatly reduces child mortality.
IKEA Income-Generation Initiative In 2005, IKEA began an income-generation initiative with women from established self-help groups. They embroider cushion covers using their traditional skills for the IKEA PS GRINDTORP range. This business initiative enables the women to earn additional income for their families, increases their self-esteem and develops their business skills. Read more on UNICEF's website
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