How Traditional Hand Block Printing Is Promoting Women Empowerment In Rural Areas

By Author: Rahul Parashar
Total Articles: 12
Comment this article

We all must admit that women are the stronger and the more hard-working gender from the two, the women are the pillar of the family; a happy and respected woman can lift the family on her shoulders alone if and when needed.

But we still talk about women empowerment, because many years ago women were not respected as much as men and this took over us as a plague, over the decades.

But it’s changing and we as a Block Print Fabric company; are going to talk about how we can empower women.

What is women empowerment?

In our context women empowerment is making women and girls self-dependent, especially in rural areas and villages where there is lack of education.

The government of India has set up various yojanas or plans to empower women

Mahila vikas nidhi: - A fund has been set up by SIDBI to help women in rural areas to easily start a business.

Women cooperative schemes: - This has been made to help women in agro based industries like animal husbandry, dairy farming, poultry, horticulture ...
... etc, this scheme has full support of the government.

Government yojanas: - Special yojanas were created by government to create reservations for women.

Private organizations: - These include several NGOs, voluntary groups, self-help groups, institutions and enterprises are helping women from rural areas to set up and successfully run a business.

What is traditional block printing?

Traditional block printing is the oldest form of printing in India, in this type of printing wooden carved blocks are used to stamp patterns across different lengths of the material used, ideal for fabrics, book covers, carpets & rugs, bags, table & cushion covers, home decors and wooden handicrafts, this type of printing has some of the most unique features that make it the pride of our nation.

1) Eco friendly dye is used that is sustainable.
2) The patterns represent and respect nature.
3) 100% cotton that is so soft it can be snuggled.
4) No machines are used thus providing more and more respectable employment in rural areas and villages.

The role of traditional block printing enterprises in women empowerment

Most of the women in city areas are educated and employed, those who are not is that girl or woman’s self-choice because of the choice of being a homemaker, but what about the females in rural or village areas, these women need to be self-dependent so as to earn some income which can be used when needed.

Even though our government has made many yojnas to empower our women, the traditional fabric making companies such as ourselves are also empowering women to indirectly help the nation grow as a developing country.

Women, especially in rural areas are artists and excellent at sewing, if trained properly the village woman can be an asset in Hand Block Print Cotton fabric companies such as Shivalaya. The woman works in a safe environment and are paid fair wages for a better self-dependent living.

The women can also start a traditional cloth making business after taking training from us with the help of a government yojana.

Shivalaya Jaipur is a hand block printing company that beliefs to keep the tradition of block printing alive. The main motive of the company to spread the tradition and art of block printing over the world. The company was originated by Mr. Rahul Parashar in 1992 with the vision to take block printing beyond the boundaries.