Ñepi Behña - Women of Dignity
Located in Mexico - Founded in 2004 - IDEX partner since 2010
A member of Corazón Verde harvests agave.
A key focus for Ñepi Behña is the Fair Trade Artisanship Program.
Ñepi Behña (Women of Dignity) is based in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico and works with over 650 indigenous women. Their goals are to promote gender equity and empower women to build strong livelihoods.
One of Ñepi Behña’s main focuses is their Fair Trade Artisanship Program. This provides technical assistance to a 250-member indigenous cooperative. The cooperative sells agave plant fiber to the Body Shop and Ñepi Behña supports them with training in quality control, financial planning, and computer skills. Now this cooperative is launching a fair trade brand, Corazón Verde to sell natural bath and beauty products in urban Mexico. They will also coordinate with indigenous groups in Chiapas and elsewhere.
Ñepi Behña also runs programs that include installing rainwater-capturing tanks and wood-saving stoves, support for a 400-member savings and credit association, and a sexual and reproductive rights program.
All of Ñepi Behña’s programs are designed to focus on the needs of indigenous women and engage them to address chronic poverty in their communities in a sustainable way.
Read more about what Nepi Behña does on our IDEX blog!
Watch the video below, showcasing the wonderful work Ñepi Behña does for its community:
