Support for Women's Empowerment - A Bright Future for All Women
This is a sustainable initiative for the future that leads to job support and stable income.
Jaipur, India. A city colored with the brilliance of jewels.
The jewelry of ARTIDA OUD also comes to life in this city.
We give back the benefits we receive from this land by supporting the education of children and the independence of women.
Our goal is an “ethical and sustainable cycle.
A Warm World Woven by the Hopes of Women
I had the opportunity to visit an NGO located in a rural area of Jaipur.
In rural areas, gender discrimination remains strong. Educational opportunities are limited, and the role of women has been to take care of the home rather than to work.
Young women and mothers find it difficult to build a stable life on their own.
The NGO provides vocational training in sewing, embroidery, and crochet to bring these women together and create jobs for them.
The women were confident and filled with hope as they acquired skills and earned income from their handiwork.
Here we encountered bags and toys made of brightly colored sari fabrics.
Clothes lying at home, unsold items from bazaars, surplus fabrics to be discarded...
Many of the colorful saris worn by Indian women in their national dress are destined to be thrown away.
Instead of buying new fabric, this NGO upcycles the saris collected through donations and breathes new life into them by the women.
Their loveliness is filled with warmth and hope.
No two saris are the same in color or pattern, as if they embody the individuality and “beauty as it is” of each and every one of these womenー
At a bazaar held on the outskirts of Jaipur. People gather to buy saris and other clothing and food items.
Aiming for Permanent Support
We asked ourselves, “Is there any way we can commission work from these women on a permanent basis, rather than on a short-term basis?”
After much thought and consideration, we came up with the answer of requesting a package that would be needed on a permanent basis.
This would provide job support, a stable income, and help the women to create a future of their own volition and freedom.
It will build an upcycling cycle that creates new value, and it will be environmentally friendly manufacturing.
Our wishes are spun,
We deliver our precious jewelry with our precious jewelry in packages woven by women's hands on a daily basis.
Following a pattern for a jewelry pouch, 4-5 women cut the fabric and sewed it together with a sewing machine.
Spinning threads one by one to make tassels for jewelry pouches. Cutting the tassels is also done by several people.
The thoughts that the makers put into their work
The makers welcomed us with dazzling smiles.
We asked them about the path they have taken so far and their hopes for the future.
The day we visited was August 15. It was India's Independence Day and I was invited to join the celebration.
Jitendra Singh, Founder
Jit, the founder, has a gentle yet strong will.
Her passion and beliefs have spun an NGO that lights up the hearts of women with warmth.
Aiming for a future where you can shine in your own way
Why did you establish this NGO?
I strongly believe that Indian women need to be independent in order to shine as they are. I strongly believe this, and that is why I established this NGO in this village.
Men lost their jobs due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus.
Women had no means to work, and many families lost their income.
We wanted to help women earn an income so that they could support their families. In this small village, we started an initiative to create employment for women. Through working, these women have developed self-confidence and are able to express their will freely. I am proud and happy to be a part of this work to create an independent future for women.”
What is life like for the women working at the NGO?
The women work for the NGO and also take care of their families, raise livestock and animals, and do farm work. I think it is my role to understand their living conditions and problems, and to create a comfortable working environment for them. I believe that is my role.”
Without transportation, it is difficult for these women to even go out to work. She wants them to be able to work from home while also balancing housework, childcare, and studies. Jeet has created an environment where women at the NGO can learn sewing and embroidery skills and work at home.
With Chota, the oldest.
By working for this NGO, the women could afford to buy clothes, a refrigerator, and a good education for their children. Their possibilities are endless.”
What kind of future do you want for these women?
We hope to employ 500 women in the next five years. “We want to hire 500 women in the next five years so that they can develop their leadership skills, become independent, and build a future full of dreams and hopes. We want to be there to reach out to them when they need us, to gently watch over them and support them.”
And we hope that one day, after we leave, they will carry on this mission and make even more women shine.”
Teena Sharma, Embroidery Artisan
Teena is a woman who has always had a smile on her face since she came to our NGO.
She is a talented embroidery artisan.
I have been studying hard, but when I met this NGO, a whole new world opened up to me. I have learned embroidery, crochet, and other handicrafts here, and as I have improved, I have come to love embroidery. I feel that I am growing every day, but I would like to improve even more.”
Do you find it difficult to work here?
I am very happy to be working for this NGO. But after about two years of working for the NGO, he started to change his mind. Now, with his support, I am able to do embroidery, which I love. We respect each other, support each other as a family, and live our lives in our own way.”
Tëm, what are your dreams for the future?
I love embroidery so much that my dream is to further hone my skills and become a teacher to teach other women. My encounter with embroidery has brought me not only income but also confidence. I would be happy to help spread the art of embroidery and expand the possibilities for women.”
Tina spoke with a slightly nervous look on her face. When the interview was over, she was relieved and regained her usual smile. The photo shows her with her sisters and friends.
Pursuing our dreams with colleagues who resonate with us
Neetu Sharma, Manager
Neetu learned sewing and embroidery at this NGO while studying at university. She has shown leadership qualities and is now responsible for the overall management and marketing of the NGO.
She has also received training in SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) and is actively involved in promoting renewable sanitary napkins and sex education for adolescent girls and women.
Neetu teaches women to sew jewelry pouches.
Chota Devi , Braiding Artisan
Chota, the oldest, dreams of being able to write her own name and is studying while working at this NGO.
Mamta Sharma , Embroidery Artisan
Mamta is an embroidery artisan with careful and skilled techniques.
As a mother of two children, she works for this NGO in the hope that they will receive a better education.
Jewelry Pouch Connects Circles of Support
This NGO not only supports women's self-reliance, but also educates children at an adjacent school.
The jewelry pouches that come to life by the women's hands support their occupations, provide income to support their families, and support their children's education.
We hope that everyone can freely draw their dreams and open up possibilities for the future.
We hope that the jewelry pouch of ARTIDA OUD will fill you with kindness and make you think of someone far away.
We want all women to shine in their own way...
We respect “raw beauty” and celebrate the grace and strength that women have inside of them.
photo, movie : Anna Miyoshi