2. The Barefoot Seller is an endeavour to encourage,
motivate and nurture the
rural women and youth of Africa who are into cottage
industries & in production of indigenous artisanal
products by promoting domestic consumption as well
as finding new markets for their products which aims
at reducing extreme poverty
3. A story of artisans who have the wealth of
their skill and the courage to see their dreams
come true
4. "Artisanal products are those produced by artisans, either
completely by hand, or
with the help of hand tools or even mechanical means, as
long as the direct manual
contribution of the artisan remains the most substantial
component of the finished
product. These are produced without restriction in terms of
quantity and using raw
materials from sustainable resources. The special nature of
artisanal products
derives from their distinctive features, which can be
utilitarian, aesthetic, artistic,
creative, culturally attached, decorative, functional,
traditional, religiously and
socially symbolic and significant."
Definition of artisanal products adopted by the UNESCO/ITC
Symposium, Crafts and the International Market: Trade and
Customs Codification - Manila, October 6-8, 1997
5. "...Poverty may be defined as a human condition
characterized by sustained or chronic deprivation of the
resources, capabilities, choices, security and power
necessary for the enjoyment of an adequate standard of living
and other civil,cultural, economic, political and social rights"
United Nations Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural
Rights, 2001
6. WE CALL IT AN
ARTISANAL REVOLUTION
BE A PART OF IT !
7. ARTISANAL REVOLUTION
Making “handicrafts & art” a part of our
daily lives not ONLY a object
of decoration
"In handicrafts there is a continuous swing between utility and beauty. That swing has a
name: pleasure." - Octavio Paz.
8. This wave of “Artisanal Revolution” can be a part of any culture & community
irrespective of race, place and language the artisans belong.
An artisanal World !!
9. Why focus on artisanal products?
• The artisanal sector is an part informal industry, which can create livelihood
at minimal cost ; development of new and an socially aware market is
the challenge.
• Rural Women not only inherits in poverty but also inherits lack of confidence
due to which they are reluctant to venture out in business; cottage industries
helps them to remain in their setup in initial stages yet be able to be a source of
income herself. Once she either becomes the bread winner or one of the
contributors she breaks the shackles of poverty and lack of confidence.
• It helps in restoring some of the rare and extinct art forms of any particular
region or community. Development of “market” gives impetus to the artisans. It
Protects the “indigenous” element of our society, which face a threat of being lost
In absence of feeder markets.
•
It doesn’t disturb the cultural and the social balance of home or community.
• The artisanal sector is largely dependent on tourism industry, therefore the
GAP between the artisans and the markets are sometimes so wide that they are
filled up by middlemen who makes the artisans to be trapped in the vicious circle of
poverty.
• Disabled women/ youth are considered as “discarded”. This initiative helps them
to lead a normal life without being dependent.
12. WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO EMPOWER,
ENGAGE AND EDUCATE WOMEN
TO REDUCE POVERTY ?
• Out of the total figures which constitutes the people living in
poverty world wide, 70% are women.
• Africa has a huge informal economy , stats show that in most
of the countries women contributes three fourth of the household
expenses. It is extremely important for a woman to be assisted in
becoming self sufficient economically.
• Women are vulnerable to poverty due to their high illiteracy
rate, lack of decision making power over their fertility and early
marriage of girls .
• A disabled women is almost considered as discarded.
Even if the husband is disabled, the burden of running the family
comes on the women.
13. CHALLENGES
Inherits poverty therefore no access to capital resources.
Inherits “lack of confidence” due to which she has limited access to
markets.
Lack of market information
Lack of marketing skills
Weak infrastructure for the women / youth in remote areas
Women with disability are taken as “discarded”
The rural women practically lives in an isolation; Barefoot Seller wants
to bridge these various gaps created by cultural norms, economic condition,
gender inequality and various social and economical hurdles.
14. WHAT BAREFOOT SELLER INTENDS TO DO
BOOST THE
DEMAND
IMPROVE THE
SUPPLY
OF ARTISANAL PRODUCTS
OF ARTISANAL PRODUCTS
16. •
•
•
When every artist in will be as
confident as any corporate women
because she is empowered
economically,
socially and emotionally.
Corporate Fairs
Live Art Exhibitions
Online Store for overseas
customers
• Artisans Exchange Programme
• Dedicated shelves in
supermarket for domestic
customers
• Export to various other parts
of the world
18. Artisanal Revolution is incomplete without
Bridging the gap between “what the customers want”
&
“what is available”
•
Workshops for artisans about making their art more closer to daily lives.
• Workshop on Marketing Skills
•
Infrastructure support, to make markets accessible
• Micro credit schemes
• Quality Analysis
