Empowerment via handicraft: An empirical study on tribal women of Odisha

Abstract

This chapter investigates the level of empowerment of tribal women-artisans who earn their living through handicrafts production. Handicraft as a means for livelihood is undertaken with intent because, next to agricultural practices, millions of people possessing knowledge and skills of traditional techniques make a living by creating hand-crafted goods. The study was undertaken to enquire into the status of tribal women-artisans by carrying out an in-depth analysis of the socio-economic determinants based on their autonomy, mobility and participation in decision making. Based on the results we recommend that government should prioritise the upliftment of these tribal women by providing them free training and financial assistance and appropriate market price for their products. Secondly, it should be ensured that all welfare schemes and measures reach to the benefits of the entire tribal women-artisan community instead of a few pockets. Thirdly, the regulators should keep a keen vigil on the middlemen who purchase the handicrafts from the poor tribal women at throw-away prices and sell them in the market with huge profit margins. All artisans should be provided with identity cards, and local craft melas need to be organised at regular intervals for better marketing of the products. © 2022 selection and editorial matter, Seemita Mohanty.