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SheSpoke Skilling and Placement Program:
Launched in July 2025 in partnership with the Deva Foundation, the SheSpoke Skilling and Placement Programme is Kaari Naari's flagship livelihood initiative, designed to equip women with employable textile skills alongside financial literacy and entrepreneurship training. Guided by the CraftSpoke Handbook, participants receive expert-led instruction in stitching, block-printing, product development, quality finishing, personal finance, and small business management, preparing them for both employment and self-employment opportunities.
What began as a series of workshops across community centres in Varanasi has since expanded to Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Bengaluru, Ludhiana, Kathmandu (Nepal), and Ras Tanura (Saudi Arabia), collectively reaching hundreds of women through expert-led training sessions. To date, participants have handcrafted over 3,000 khadi tote bags, utilising 2,250 metres of khadi and supporting the livelihoods of approximately 55 rural artisans within the textile supply chain.
Beyond skill development, the programme has generated tangible economic outcomes. Participating women have collectively earned over ₹3.8 lakh in direct stitching income, while the initiative has generated ₹13.91 lakh in profits, of which ₹12.34 lakh has been reinvested to expand production, strengthen training, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme.
128 women have either secured permanent employment with partner organisations or continue earning through Kaari Naari's production network, demonstrating the programme's focus on creating sustained livelihood opportunities rather than short-term training alone.
Through SheSpoke, Kaari Naari continues to transform traditional textile craftsmanship into a pathway for financial independence, entrepreneurship, and dignified employment for women across communities.
WeSpoke Together Digital Showcase
WeSpoke Together Digital Showcase
In December 2025, I launched WeSpoke Together, Kaari Naari's digital showcase platform, to increase market access for handcrafted textile products created by women participating in the SheSpoke Skilling and Placement Programme. The platform was designed to bridge the gap between artisans and consumers by providing a dedicated space to discover, purchase, and learn about ethically handcrafted products while celebrating India's rich textile traditions.
Beyond its online presence, WeSpoke Together has helped establish long-term retail partnerships with JDS Banaras, SND Banaras, Jalan, Kambal Ghar, Shanti Banaras, and Svas Cafe, enabling participating artisans to access sustained sales opportunities beyond workshop-based production. By connecting women directly with customers through both digital and physical retail channels, the platform has become an important component of Kaari Naari's broader mission to transform traditional craftsmanship into sustainable livelihoods.
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