March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a moment to celebrate the women who dedicate their skills, time, and energy to the tea industry—something we should do more often, but especially on this day! In honor of these women we are a proud supporter of Ufulu, a not-for-profit organization that works to end period poverty. Read our special edition newsletter about this important topic!
Tea picking is often handwork!
Tea leaves would never reach our tea cups without tea pickers, most of whom are women. To harvest the amount of tea Van Rees purchases in a single year, more than 13,000 people would need to work full-time for an entire year. In most tea-growing countries, this work is done by hand—primarily by women. Their contribution is essential to the global tea industry.
Gender balance and equality on the workfloor
At Van Rees, women play a vital role across our global operations, representing one-third of our workforce. From logistics and finance to quality control, sustainability, and trading, their expertise and dedication help drive our success. We believe that diversity enhances our company, as both women and men bring unique qualities to the workplace. Maintaining and improving the gender balance—especially in leadership positions—remains a key focus for us.
Women’s challenges in the tea industry
Maintaining and improving the gender balance and gender equality also requires ongoing effort throughout our supply chain. The women who pick the leaves that are processed into our daily cup of tea face significant challenges. Many work long hours in difficult conditions, exposed to extreme weather conditions. They carry heavy baskets of tea leaves for hours, often earning wages that barely sustain their families. Access to healthcare, childcare, and education for their children is often limited. In some cases, they face job insecurity, harassment, and few opportunities for career advancement.
End period poverty
One significant but often overlooked challenge for women working in the tea fields is menstrual health. Many women and girls on tea estates cannot afford sanitary products and rely on cloth rags, which can cause infections, discomfort, and embarrassment. This lack of access forces women to miss work—losing crucial income—while girls stay home from school, affecting their education and future opportunities. The constant worry of odors, leaks, and visible stains adds to their distress, making this an urgent issue to address.
Van Rees Group supports Ufulu
In celebration of the women in our industry, Van Rees Group is proud to support Ufulu, a not-for-profit organization providing menstrual cups and training to women in Malawi. So far, Ufulu has distributed over 24,000 menstrual cups at, around and far beyond tea estates and continues to expand its reach. This initiative has significantly improved menstrual health, reduced absenteeism, and by that increased the women’s income. We encourage everyone to contribute to this meaningful cause by visiting www.ufulu.org and making a donation, as we have done. A donation of £10 (or $13) equips one woman or girl with a menstrual cup kit, providing 10 years of reliable menstrual care.
On this International Women’s Day, let’s recognize and celebrate the women who sustain our industry—from the tea fields to our offices. Let’s reaffirm our commitment to empowering women in our supply chains and creating a more balanced, inclusive workplace for all.
Read more in our special edition newsletter about this important topic:
