Empowering Women Artisans in Jammu & Kashmir

In the villages of Khag and Beerwah in Budgam, Kashmir, women artisans keep alive the delicate traditions of Sozni and Crewel embroidery, crafts that have been passed down through generations. Sozni is known for its fine, intricate needlework on Pashmina shawls, while Crewel uses vibrant wool threads to create bold, textured patterns on fabric. Each piece is entirely handmade, often taking days or even weeks to complete.

Yet, despite this extraordinary skill, these women earn only ₹150 to ₹200 a day. Much of the value of their work is lost to middlemen, and today, these traditional crafts are increasingly under threat from faster, cheaper machine-made imitations.

For these women, craft is more than income; it is identity, dignity, and a pathway to independence. It allows them to contribute to their households, support their children’s education, and gradually shift their role within the family and community from silent contributors to decision-makers. When women earn fairly, it strengthens not just individual families, but the social fabric of entire communities.

Through a 10 day training led by Somaiya KalaVidya, Karuka Foundation, and HELP Foundation J&K, 10 artisans will gain skills in design, pricing, and production, while forming a collective to work together and access markets directly. This collective approach fosters peer support, shared learning, and stronger bargaining power.

This initiative aims to help them move from underpaid labour to independent entrepreneurs, ensuring their craft not only survives but thrives.

Your support will help sustain both livelihoods and a fading art form, while enabling women to build confidence, agency, and a more secure future for themselves and their families.