Women embroiders of Kashmir

In Kulgam district of Kashmir a craft based enterprise development programme was undertaken since 2010 wherein the actual training of the identified beneficiaries in various skills were carried out between 2010- 2011.

The young women of these families who had the skill of embroidery participated in AIACA’s training programme. In a span of 2 years, from a family income of INR 2000/- per month, the income of only the women embroiders went up to INR 5000/- per month. Sales of the women’s group of 30 women has increased from INR 10,000/- in the financial year 2011-2012 to INR 2, 99,200/- in the financial year 2012-2013. In the financial year 2013-2014 sales of the group had reached to INR 4,43,155. They are a regular supplier to a US based enterprise.

The women are empowered and run their own enterprise today and are training other women embroiders to develop their skills in order to increase their capacity for production.