Women in developing countries are getting a chance to learn skills such as traditional weaving, with the hope that they can eventually launch their own businesses.

According to F.Report, “The disadvantaged position of women, due to higher poverty incidence and unequal power relationships with men and the wider community, has been a source of debate over the past several decades.”

In the majority of developing countries, women contribute the most to the agricultural sector. Unfortunately, women’s roles are largely unrecognized by the private sector, with many women expected to carry out unpaid work.

Yet by launching their own weaving businesses, women can not only build up their confidence but they can also join the private sector as well. The private sector can be a partner in efforts to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment, according to the U.N.

The weaving industry is, therefore, expanding in many poor countries, targeting women from marginalized communities in particular. “Empowering women to participate fully in economic life across all sectors is essential to build stronger economies, achieve internationally agreed goals for development and sustainability, and improve the quality of life of women, men families, and communities,” according to U.N. Women.

Sally Holkar, founder of Women Weave, said that this occupation not only provides financial security to women but can also lift them and their families out of poverty, which benefits the community at large.

F. Report states that “although empowerment can not be given to somebody by someone else, the process of empowerment can be facilitated by others through programs like the weaving industry.”

A woman needs to have access to social resources and economic opportunities to make strategic decisions in her life. In this case, the weaving businesses are largely responsible for this empowerment.

– Isabella Rölz

Sources: WomenWeave, Female Report, UN Women, UN Web TV
Photo: WEAVE