Redesigning Destinies: Women Changing Their Worlds

Summary

MarketPlace is a leading textile Fair Trade nonprofit organization. It provides access to global markets for low-income Indian women by using design to bridge the gap between skills and markets.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Women in India have always been key agents of change. But poverty prevents women from maintaining good health, adequately nurturing their children and engaging in civic life. Participation in MarketPlace allows women to own businesses and to develop the leadership skills and self-confidence to challenge traditional restrictions concerning women and girls. Expanding this project will touch the lives of 2,000 women artisans, their children and communities. See Photo Gallery.

How will this project solve this problem?

MarketPlace connects low-income women to global markets. Existing cooperatives mentor new ones in production and management, maintaining the core philosophies. Increasing capacity in design and marketing will ensure viable and sustainable growth.

Potential Long Term Impact

Giving economic opportunities to a wider group of women will empower them to bring about changes in themselves and their communities. This not only will promote individual growth, but will propel community-wide change and development.

Project Message

MarketPlace offers women extraordinary opportunities for acquiring independence. Their worlds open to new dreams for the future. With remarkable strength, the women take ownership of their lives.
- Prof Mary Littrell, co-directed research project funded by EarthWatch

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources