Background

Globally, nearly 60 percent of women are employed in the informal economy, with India seeing an even higher percentage (82 percent!) working in informal roles such as domestic labor, waste picking, or craftwork, according to a 2018 report by the International Labor Organization. These roles often offer little stability, benefits, or pathways to upward mobility. In industries like textiles and crafts, women contribute significantly to production yet lack access to formal training or certifications, which are often prohibitively expensive for marginalized communities.

Compounding these economic barriers are certain social realities: the deeply entrenched patriarchal norms that often confine women to caregiving and household responsibilities, which, in turn, leaves them with limited time or even autonomy to pursue career opportunities and work towards financial independence.

Despite these challenges, women in the informal economy continue to play a crucial role in supporting their families and communities. The textile industry specifically is one of the largest sources of employment generation in the country with over 45 million people employed directly, and another 6 crore people in allied sectors, including a large number of women and rural population. However, systemic challenges in skill development and job placement continue to hinder their growth. Addressing these structural barriers requires targeted interventions that keep in mind cultural context and also view the struggles and live experiences of marginalized women with empathy. This is where Project SAKHI comes in.