Our WI has been approached to support an initiative by donating second hand clothing to be sent away to developing countries in order to raise funds for a local air ambulance. Does this fit in with WI objectives?

While the collection of second hand clothes and resulting funds being donated to the local charity do not contravene the constitution and WI objects, it is an area that raises ethical questions. Although the practice of selling, or even donating, second hand clothing may be attractive and beneficial to people as consumers in developing countries, this can impact on local industry, which has to compete with the imported low cost goods that the distributing company received by donation in the first instance.

Very often local clothing production is on a small scale and female dominated. Each locality will be affected differently and the key concern for anyone getting involved in this type of activity should be to ensure that the overall benefits outweigh any costs to the local economy. There is also an ethical issue to consider and ethical perceptions. Is it morally OK to sell donated bras to women in developing countries to fund air ambulance services in the UK whilst women and their communities in these countries very often lack even basic medical services?

WIs or federations involved in fundraising of this type should raise these concerns with the relevant distributing companies and ask about their policies regarding the impact of selling second hand clothing in developing countries on local communities.