Gudi Mudi Khadi

It is observed that women’s role in weaving is largely hidden, when in reality not only do they carry out much of the ancillary work, but they as often as adept in weaving as their male counterparts. Weaving traditionally being a cottage industry, its future sustainability depends on the availability of such members in an artisan household who are ready to practice the craft. Given that the rate of rural-to-urban migration is much higher among men than women, it is likely to be determined by the participation of women artisans. As such, it is imperative to the sustainability of handloom that the role of women artisans as primary weavers and not secondary workers be recognised and duly promoted. WomenWeave’s flagship Gudi Mudi Khadi project, which was started in 2007 is concerned with this particular area of work.

WomenWeave’s flagship Gudi Mudi Khadi initiative acknowledges the role of women artisans as “weavers” (rather than just “ancillary workers”) by skilling highly marginalized women in the spinning and weaving of locally grown cotton, and provides them with a dignified and stable source of livelihood in weaving and allied functions. The cloth they weave sells in more than twenty-one countries. Where women have acted as “shadow weavers”, supplementing male family member’s work, Gudi Mudi creates opportunities for them to gain more control over and be recognised for their labour, as well as enhance their skill-set. However, more than economic freedom, Gudi Mudi has provided its women with a safe space to express themselves, to participate in the decision-making processes, and to seek counsel from each other. It has created a support system which has enabled the women to demand a greater say in family matters, which can be thought to be the true impact that Gudi Mudi has had in their lives. Gudi Mudi at present employs 245 women (110 weavers and 135 spinners & ancillary workers) in three different clusters in Madhya Pradesh namely Maheshwar, Dindori and Balaghat, and has setup another satellite centre in Shantipur, West Bengal, recently.

The key feature of the Gudi Mudi Khadi initiative that sets it apart from many other craft initiatives is its commitment to provide regular employment to all its beneficiaries (i.e. weavers, spinners and ancillary works) throughout the year. Even in “lean” months when there is a dearth of production orders due to low demand, the beneficiaries are engaged in producing cloth which the project then absorbs as finished goods stock to be sold later. However, more than economic freedom, Gudi Mudi has provided its women with a safe space to express themselves, to participate in the decision-making processes, and to seek counsel from each other. It has created a support system which has enabled the women to demand a greater say in family matters, which can be thought to be the true impact that Gudi Mudi has had in their lives.