Art haat gives fillip to women artisans
A haat exclusively managed and run by women artisans and entrepreneurs will soon make its presence felt in the capital. MCD’s Mahila Haat, on the lines of Dilli Haat, will be located above the civic agency’s multi-level parking lot on Asaf Ali Road and will have women selling items like furnishings, kitchen products, fabrics and ornaments.
A great initiative, but will it genuinely support women? Even though designer Madhu Jain is happy to learn about the Haat, she wonders if it’s worth its salt. “Majority of artisans in our country are women. If the intention of the Haat is to make these women get in touch with the buyers directly, then it’s superb. But who is going to manage it? Is the MCD planning to rope in a private body to look after this Haat, or are they going to run it by themselves? Dilli Haat project has been a success because it has a vision; there are people who are dedicated to the cause. Similarly, Mahila Haat has the potential to be one of its kind market, but it needs a dedicated force behind it.”
Agrees former politician and a pioneer in promoting handicrafts, Jaya Jaitley, who avers, “Care must be taken not to make it like a regular market. There must be some distinction and certain issues addressed. Some women may not have the fund to promote their wares, or in some cases, men may put up women upfront and may become a part of the haat. MCD can partner with NGOs who can manage the haat. Artisans’ interest must be put forward first.”
With the male dominated industry, especially in the cooperative segment, designer Rina Dhaka asks if the buyers of these products have to be women only. “Will a women’s haat cater only to women clients, or will males be allowed in as well? These artisans may lose out on a big chunk of buyer if they exclusively want to cater to women.”
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