Women In Handicrafts Industry

DETAILS : 

• Author : Mowsume Bose Roy
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mittal Publications
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 1 January 2012
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Hardcover : 296 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8183243657
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8183243650
  
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 500 g

ABOUT THE BOOK

Women in Handicrafts Industry, authored by the dedicated social researcher and academic Dr. Mowsume Bose Roy and published by Regal Publications, is an incisive, field-based socio-economic study. The book uncovers the lived realities, structural challenges, and economic contributions of female artisans working within the unorganized, informal handicrafts sector of India—a critical demographic that has historically remained marginalized and under-documented in mainstream economic literature.

The primary objective of the volume is to provide a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of how grassroots craft industries intersect with gender dynamics, poverty alleviation, and rural development. Dr. Bose Roy bases her research on extensive empirical fieldwork, gathering qualitative and quantitative data directly from woman-dominated craft clusters (such as embroidery, weaving, pottery, and basketry). The book systematically deconstructs the operational framework of this industry through several critical lenses:

• The Invisible Workforce: Examines how cultural norms and household expectations relegate women's artisanal labor to "domestic chores" or part-time work, leading to a severe underestimation of their financial contributions in national labor statistics.
• Economic Exploitation: Details the exploitative supply chains where rural women face extreme wage disparities, a lack of direct market access, and a heavy reliance on predatory middle-men who absorb the majority of the profit margins.
• Health and Occupational Hazards: Documents the physical toll of prolonged artisanal labor, including chronic musculoskeletal disorders, deteriorating eyesight, and exposure to toxic dyes or raw materials without proper safety equipment.
• Empowerment and Self-Help Groups (SHGs): Evaluates the transformative role of microfinance, co-operative societies, and government-backed entrepreneurial schemes in helping women secure financial independence, collective bargaining power, and social mobility.

Rather than presenting a purely academic or bleak critique, the text acts as a progressive policy manual. It offers strategic recommendations for NGOs, financial institutions, and government bodies to implement digital literacy programs, establish fair-trade platforms, and provide targeted skill-upgradation to help traditional female artisans transition into self-sustaining entrepreneurs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Dr. Mowsume Bose Roy is a highly respected Indian sociologist, gender studies researcher, and academician who has spent years studying rural economics and women's empowerment frameworks. Her work is deeply rooted in subaltern studies, focusing on how systemic gender bias intersects with caste, geography, and class in the informal labor market.

Dr. Bose Roy’s research and authorial style are characterized by strict methodological rigor, structural empathy, and a clear presentation of empirical data through accessible tables, charts, and case studies. By combining statistical evidence with moving personal narratives from the field, she bridges the gap between high-level sociological theory and actionable grassroots activism, making her a vital voice in contemporary South Asian development studies.