Equifruit, a leading Fairtrade-certified banana importer and marketer based in Montreal, is among the founding signatories of a public commitment to preventing gender-based violence and sexual harassment in the banana industry. 

The “Silence Does Not Protect” campaign (‘El Silencio No Protege' in Spanish), led by the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Small Producers and Workers, was launched on May 21 at the Fifth Fairtrade Banana Forum. The campaign intends to raise awareness and advocate for safe, respectful working conditions for women across Latin America and the Caribbean. 

In alignment with this initiative, Equifruit has publicly released its Policy for the Prevention and Management of Psychological and Sexual Harassment, now available on the company’s website. The policy formalizes Equifruit’s longstanding stance on protecting the rights and dignity of all workers in the global banana supply chain. 

As a women-owned business and a B Corp, Equifruit champions the core Fairtrade values of gender equality, transparency, and respect for human rights across the company’s supplier and customer relationships and internal operations. 

“Sexual harassment has no place in any industry and cannot be tolerated,” said Jennie Coleman, President and Co-owner of Equifruit. “As a women-led company, we are using our voice to speak up about sexual harassment and challenge a culture of staying silent. By joining the ‘Silence Does Not Protect’ campaign and sharing our own policy publicly, we hope to encourage others to speak out and create a culture of accountability and support for women throughout the banana industry.” 

Equifruit recognizes that addressing gender inequality is not only a matter of compliance, but a moral and strategic imperative. Equifruit actively participates in the UN FAO-based World Banana Forum’s Gender Equity Taskforce. 

Coleman and Equifruit co-owner Kim Chackal have been recognized by the Ontario Produce Marketing Association and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association respectively for their contributions as women leaders to the produce industry’s development.  

Equifruit is committed to continuing to work closely with Fairtrade producer organizations and advocacy partners to strengthen protections for women, promote safe reporting mechanisms, and foster inclusive leadership at both ends of the banana supply chain.

Top photo: Jennie Coleman, president and co-owner of Fairtrade-certified banana importer-marketer Equifruit, based in Montreal, signed on to the ’Silence Does Not Protect’ campaign that looks to prevent gender-based violence and sexual harassment in the banana industry.