GENDER INEQUALITY Common societal perceptions of women as homemakers who perform domestic tasks only make it challenging for them to defy conventions, make decisions in the household, and assume paid work.

POVERTY Our artisans have fled war and are faced with new challenges in refugee camps, including lack of sufficient humanitarian aid, high daily expenses, and extreme living conditions. Often times, one source of income is insufficient.

LACK OF OPPORTUNITY Sociocultural barriers often prevent displaced women from accessing the training needed to learn entrepreneurial skills and access local and international markets.

LACK OF RESOURCES Women lack the education and resources needed to seek out suppliers, materials, initial funding, and foster business opportunities outside the confines of the camp.

ACCOMODATING We expand on existing skillsets like needlework, which is considered culturally acceptable and allows the women to overstep cultural limitations and create opportunity.

BRIDGING MARKETS We follow a bottom-up approach and build on our extensive networks to link these women with international consumers, retailers and designers.

LABOUR CONDITIONS Our artisans work from home, so they don’t have to commute at night. We also ensure fair wages and a safe environment where they can exchange advice and gain emotional support.

ADAPTABILITY We offer a type of employment that allows women the scheduling flexibility to combine their work with their domestic tasks, so that one need not be sacrificed for the other.

GENDER EQUALITY Our artisans report having more confidence, giving them more decision-making power in the household. Economic empowerment also diminishes vulnerability to gender-based violence and being forced into early marriage.

CHILDREN STAY IN SCHOOL Empowering mothers combats child labour and marriage, as children are more likely to remain in school when their families don’t rely on them for financial support.

BETTER CONDITIONS Adult male family members also become less vulnerable to labour exploitation when the family has more financial means because they are less likely to accept unsafe situations and unfair wages out of desperation.

ECONOMIC STABILITY It also allows families to afford adequate medical care for ill or disabled family members, as well as proper food and supplies.