---
title: Secondhand Clothing Sparks Women's Economic Opportunity
description: Learn how Planet Aid’s clothing donations help empower women entrepreneurs in the Global South by fueling small businesses in the secondhand clothing industry—supporting sustainability and economic opportunity.
---

[Blog | Planet Aid ](https://www.planetaid.org/blog)

# [Secondhand Clothing Sparks Women's Economic Opportunity](https://www.planetaid.org/blog/how-secondhand-clothing-sparks-womens-economic-opportunity)

 Written by [Planet Aid](https://www.planetaid.org/blog/author/planet-aid) | Jun 6, 2025

When you drop off your used clothes at a Planet Aid Donation Centers, you’re not just keeping textiles out of the landfill, you’re helping create opportunity for women across the globe.

Through our partnerships with organizations like Garson & Shaw, the clothing we collect is resold in bulk at low prices to markets in the Global South. There, it enters a vibrant secondhand economy where women are leading the way.

### A Lifeline for Women with Limited Options

An estimated **60% of secondhand clothing retailers in the Global South are women**. These entrepreneurs often face significant barriers to formal employment, especially those who have not completed elementary school which is **a reality for 63% of these women**, according to data shared at this year’s Garson & Shaw Conference.

But secondhand clothing gives them a chance to build something of their own.

They sort, clean, and often repair or tailor garments to sell in open-air markets and small shops. What starts as a simple bag of donated clothes becomes inventory for their business and a source of income, stability, and pride.

### A Chain of Impact

It’s easy to think of clothing donation as a one-time act. But what you give has ripple effects. Planet Aid’s model not only promotes reuse and sustainability, it plays a powerful role in economic empowerment. Each item donated can support a woman in growing her business, supporting her family, and gaining independence.

And in countries where women’s economic opportunities are limited, this impact matters even more.

### The Bigger Picture

When corporations, schools, and communities partner with Planet Aid to host collection bins, they’re contributing to a global chain of empowerment. The clothing collected here in the U.S. fuels the entrepreneurial spirit of women around the world; Women who are transforming challenge into opportunity, one garment at a time.

So the next time you place a shirt or pair of shoes into a yellow bin, remember: you’re not just donating clothing. **You’re helping a woman build her future.**

[View full post](https://www.planetaid.org/blog/how-secondhand-clothing-sparks-womens-economic-opportunity)

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