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Hand woven and sewn in Nepal: How a fair trade organisation is empowering women (photo report)

By Corinna Lagerberg In December 2016, Mojo Correspondent was given access to see the tailoring production line of the Women’s Skills Development Organisation, an inspiring NGO based in Pokhara, Nepal. Photo #1: Ramkali Khadka, the executive...

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Hand woven and sewn in Nepal: How a fair trade organisation is empowering women (photo report)

By Corinna Lagerberg

In December 2016, Mojo Correspondent was given access to see the tailoring production line of the Women’s Skills Development Organisation, an inspiring NGO based in Pokhara, Nepal.

Photo #1: Ramkali Khadka, the executive director and founder of the Women’s Skill Development Organisation in Nepal, has created an organisation which is founded on the philosophy of a united, confident and empowered national sisterhood. Ramkali has helped provide handicraft training to over 10,000 women allowing them to gain financial independence.
Each woman at the WSDO plays a unique part in the complex production process that culminates in handmade, fare trade products. The first step is a two day method where the cotton is dyed with both natural and chemical colourings.
Photo #2: Each woman at the WSDO plays a unique part in the complex production process that culminates in handmade, fare trade products. The first step is a two day method where the cotton is dyed with both natural and chemical colourings.
Photo #3: The WSDO has been operating since 1975 and as a result the daily production processes are a streamlined operation. Here, the women gather and sort the cotton, preparing it for the open-air drying process.
Photo #3: The WSDO has been operating since 1975 and as a result the daily production processes are a streamlined operation. Here, the women gather and sort the cotton, preparing it for the open-air drying process.
Once the cotton has been dried it is hand wrapped into balls and grouped according to colour, making for a vibrant storage room.
Photo #4: Once the cotton has been dried it is hand wrapped into balls and grouped according to colour, making for a vibrant storage room.
The back strap loom used by the women is the oldest kind in the world and is fitted around the weaver’s hips. By moving her body back and forward and altering the tension of the threads, the weaver possesses control over her work enabling her to create strong and tightly bound cloth with a variety of inlaid designs.
Photo #5: The back strap loom used by the women is the oldest kind in the world and is fitted around the weaver’s hips. By moving her body back and forward and altering the tension of the threads, the weaver possesses control over her work enabling her to create strong and tightly bound cloth with a variety of inlaid designs.
Photo #6: A key function of the WSDO is providing jobs and for women from disadvantaged backgrounds. Although more than 10 per cent of WSDO employees suffer from physical disabilities or visual impairments they have been trained to be capable of performing the same work as the other women with minimal assistance.
Photo #6: A key function of the WSDO is providing jobs and for women from disadvantaged backgrounds. Although more than 10 per cent of WSDO employees suffer from physical disabilities or visual impairments they have been trained to be capable of performing the same work as the other women with minimal assistance.
Photo #7: Further down the production line, and once the looming is complete, the fabric is cut into segments and prepared for the tailoring process. Each woman masters a particular manufacturing role that they stay in for the duration of their career.
Photo #7: Further down the production line, and once the looming is complete, the fabric is cut into segments and prepared for the tailoring process. Each woman masters a particular manufacturing role that they stay in for the duration of their career.
Photo #8: WSDO teaches tailoring skills to women without charging a fee. The organisation currently has more than 2,500 women on its waiting list for this training program.
Photo #8: WSDO teaches tailoring skills to women without charging a fee. The organisation currently has more than 2,500 women on its waiting list for this training program.

 

Photo #9: Surya Kumari Pandey, 47, is one of nearly 600 Nepalese women who currently work for the WSDO. Surya has spent 27 years with the WSDO and is now the main trainer. She says the true purpose of the organisation is not to make bags and household items, but rather to provide financial independence to widowed, divorced, disabled and abused women. Divorced and a mother of three, Surya explains she has seen the benefit of the program first hand.
Photo #9: Surya Kumari Pandey, 47, is one of nearly 600 Nepalese women who currently work for the WSDO. Surya has spent 27 years with the WSDO and is now the main trainer. She says the true purpose of the organisation is not to make bags and household items, but rather to provide financial independence to widowed, divorced, disabled and abused women. Divorced and a mother of three, Surya explains she has seen the benefit of the program first hand.
Photo #10: Despite facing many challenges over the last 40 years, particularly the unauthorised duplication of designs and logos, Ramkali and the women at the WSDO are confident in their skills and their products. With more than 80 per cent of goods being sold to international retailers such as Oxfam, Ramkali believes the future of the WSDO is a bright one.
Photo #10: Despite facing many challenges over the last 40 years, particularly the unauthorised duplication of designs and logos, Ramkali and the women at the WSDO are confident in their skills and their products. With more than 80 per cent of goods being sold to international retailers such as Oxfam, Ramkali believes the future of the WSDO is a bright one.

All photos by Corinna Lagerberg.

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