The Women Behind the Colour
How Your Purchase Supports Female Artisans in India
Every time someone orders colour powder from Monty Colour Powder, something happens that goes far beyond their event. Thousands of kilometres away, in a small Gulal factory in India, a woman's livelihood is supported. Her children's school fees are paid. Her future gets a little brighter.
This is the story we want more people to know.
The Hands That Make the Colour
Our Gulal, the authentic Indian colour powder at the heart of every Monty Colour Powder product, is made by a team of women in India who have been crafting this vibrant powder for years. They mix the cornstarch, measure the pigments, fill the bottles, and package the product that ends up exploding in colour at school fun runs, gender reveals, weddings, and festivals all across New Zealand.
Their work is skilled, meaningful, and thanks to a commitment we made when we first started sourcing from India, fairly compensated.
We give 5% of every sale back to the women who make our Gulal. Not a token donation. Not a once-a-year charity gesture. Five percent of every single sale, paid directly to support the women in our supply chain.
Why This Matters
The Gulal manufacturing industry in India has traditionally been male-dominated, and women working in these factories have often faced poor wages, unsafe conditions, and little economic autonomy. We made a deliberate choice to partner with a certified manufacturer that champions women's employment and fair labour practices, and to go further by directing a share of every sale back to those workers.
Reeta Bai is one of those women. She works alongside around 40 others at the factory, mixing the powders that travel across the world to New Zealand shores. Once struggling to make ends meet, Reeta now earns a steady income that allowed her to send her son to school. Something she never thought possible.
"Each day I pack the colourful Gulal, I feel my own life filling with new shades of dignity, pride, and a brighter future," she says.
Reeta's story isn't unique. It's the story of dozens of women at the factory whose lives have been measurably improved by stable, fair employment. Women who now have greater economic independence, who can contribute to their families, fund their children's education, and plan for a future they previously couldn't imagine.
What Ethical Sourcing Looks Like in Practice
Choosing an ethical supplier isn't just about signing a certificate. For us, it means:
· Paying a fair price: We don't squeeze our suppliers for the lowest possible price at the expense of the workers. We pay fairly so they can pay fairly.
· Choosing certified manufacturers: Our supplier is certified for fair labour practices and safe working conditions. We've done the due diligence so you don't have to wonder.
· Directing profit back to the source: The 5% of sales commitment isn't a marketing line. It's a structural part of how we do business, ensuring that the people who create the product share in its success.
· Being transparent: We tell this story because we think you deserve to know it. Where your money goes, who benefits, and what your purchase makes possible.
Why It Matters to You
New Zealanders are increasingly conscious consumers. We think about where our coffee comes from, who makes our clothing, and whether the brands we support are doing right by the people in their supply chains. Colour powder is no different.
When you buy from Monty Colour Powder, you're not just getting a high-quality, skin-safe, biodegradable product. You're participating in a purchasing decision that has a positive ripple effect on women's lives in India.
For schools organising a colour fun run, that adds another layer of meaning to the event. For businesses and event organisers buying in bulk, it's a story worth sharing with your attendees. For families choosing colour powder for a gender reveal or celebration, it's something you can feel genuinely good about.
The Bigger Picture
We believe that business can be a force for good. That it's possible to offer a brilliant, competitively priced product and still do right by the people who produce it. The 5% commitment is our way of putting that belief into action. It's not a sacrifice. It's a choice. And it's one we'd encourage more businesses to make.
So next time you open a bottle of Monty Colour Powder and toss it into the air, spare a thought for the hands that made it. And know that your purchase helped make those hands a little steadier, those lives a little more colourful.
Shop With Purpose
Every bottle you order puts money directly into the hands of the women who made it. That's not a bad reason to shop.
Browse our colour powder range →
