KARACHI: Showcasing Sindh’s traditional products designed and made by thousands of artisans and craftspersons in various ecological zones of the province, the two-day Karigar Mela organised by the Thardeep Rural Development Prog-ramme (TRDP) concluded at a hotel here on Wedne­sday.

The handicraft stalls in the main lawn of a local hotel were attracting many people who, especially women, were finding it hard to resist beautiful rallis, block-prints, pretty dresses and embroidered suits and so many other things on offer there such caps, purses, artificial jewellery, decoration pieces, etc.

Amid the hustle bustle, one could hear the fussing of a baby though the child was not visible. Then someone noticed one young stall vendor bending down for something under her display table. On closer inspection one found a small hammock made from a light blue embroidered chador tied to two legs of the table. It was a true portrayal of how these rural women are juggling family and business under the Sindh Union Council and Community Economic Strengthening Support (SUCCESS) programme supported by TRDP and the European Union (EU).

The collaborative venture organises poor households into groups that are provided with grants and technical and vocational training to be able to start small businesses.

Dr Ali Nawaz Samoo, TRDP’s CEO said that the Karigar Mela was about showcasing diversified products and introducing them to the mainstream.

He said that the artisans of Sindh had been its main human resource since centuries. “They have been exporting the culture and traditions of Sindh since as far back as the 15th century but they have not been able to make a name for themselves as much as they should have as they failed to align themselves with technology. There is poverty in Sindh despite so much talent. It is because of a lack of opportunities. Through our flagship programme SUCCESS, we bring skilled persons together while giving them a voice. We also integrate them with the market with the support of the government,” he added.

He said that in the next three years they wanted to create a support system that would act as a bridge between demand and supply.

Daulat Ram Lohana, president of the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry, said that the artisans in Sindh had great skills, but they did not know about market demand.

MPA Hina Dastagir said that she was happy to learn of a programme that works for the empowerment of women by finding a market for their work by spreading awareness of various issues among them.

Androulla Kaminara, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, said that the EU had invested 18 million euros in the SUCCESS programme. “This project is important because it alleviates poverty. I have been to around 100 countries and I have seen how poverty is eradicated there. We want to see the poor earn, make money and send their children to school. Husbands here, too, should let the women work in order to change their lives for the better. The programme provides hope for a better future. Women achieve a lot, they only need a little help in order to be able to do that,” she said.

Shehla Raza, Sindh Minister for Women Development, said that she took her time visiting all stalls at the mela. “They have access to markets where they can sell their handicrafts themselves and through the platform they are also made aware of immunisation of their children and also how to take care of their livestock. They are also doing kitchen gardening,” she said.

“The Women Develo­pment Department wants to stand with you. The empowerment of women will lead to a decrease in domestic violence, too,” she added.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2020