Saheli Women
Empowers rural women through ethical fashion, collaborating with international partners, teaching embroidery techniques and breaking the cycle of poverty while upholding principles of fairness and non-exploitation
About
-
Headquarters
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
-
Since
2015
Saheli Women, a non-profit social enterprise founded by IPHD in 2015, is dedicated to empowering the women of Bhikamkor village in rural Rajasthan thr Read moreough ethical and sustainable fashion. With 35 female artisans, they teach traditional and modern embroidery techniques, offering a flexible and empowering working environment. International partners support Saheli Women, allowing these artisans and their families to break the cycle of poverty. IPHD also sponsors education and provides essential health services in the village. Saheli Women's mission is to create employment opportunities for women in ethical fashion manufacturing, benefiting themselves, their families, and their communities. Collaborating with ethical fashion houses and designers globally, Saheli Women manages the clothing value chain, from sourcing Indian fabrics to delivering quality-assured products. Their commitment rests on principles of fairness and non-exploitation, ensuring that their fashion initiative remains ethical and empowering.
Action
Saheli Women provides skills training and sustainable livelihood opportunities in slow fashion to women in rural Rajasthan, co-creating garments with international fashion partners using traditional craft practices.
Cause Area
Sub Sector
Impact
Saheli Women has grown to employ over 100 female artisans across multiple villages, providing fair wages at least 50% higher than average and creating a safe, discrimination-free work environment.
Vision & Mission
Saheli Women's mission is to financially empower women in rural Rajasthan through skills development and sustainable livelihood opportunities in slow fashion, with a vision of creating an ethical fashion system that values people and the planet.
Programs
-
Travel With a Purpose Programme
Saheli Women offers the Saheli Artisan Travel experience, designed for slow travellers seeking an immersive, purposeful journey. Over five days, participants delve into the organisation's ethical and sustainable fashion approach, gaining insights into traditional Indian handcraft techniques such as embroidery, natural dyeing, and weaving directly from Saheli artisans at their centre in Jodhpur and village centres in Kaliberi and Bhikamkor. Accommodation with a local Indian family and homecooked meals provide an authentic and enriching experience, allowing travellers to engage deeply with Indian culture while supporting the cause of ethical fashion.
-
Concious Fashion Campaign
Saheli Women is actively engaged in the Conscious Fashion Campaign, a collaborative effort with the United Nations, dedicated to advancing a sustainable future that leaves no one behind. By participating in this initiative, Saheli Women demonstrates its commitment to aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, which tackle global challenges, including poverty, inequality, environmental concerns, prosperity, and peace and justice. As an ethical fashion social enterprise, Saheli Women integrates the UN's Sustainability Goals from the outset, with a mission to expand its impact by forging connections with international ethical brands, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world.
-
Long Term Immersion Programme
Saheli Women offers a Long Term Immersion programme for those seeking an extended educational experience in India. The programme spans from 1 to 6 months, allowing participants to gain a deep understanding of Indian culture, sewing, embroidery techniques, and ethical fashion production processes. Alongside their host families, participants can engage in Hindi classes, traditional Indian dance lessons, and Indian cooking. This immersive opportunity is ideal for those interested in contributing to an international NGO while learning about garment construction techniques and participating in various IPHD initiatives such as girls' education and health education. Accommodation is with local middle-class Indian families, and the cost is $700 per month, covering room, board, and three meals a day.
Impact Metrics
-
Artisans Employed at Saheli Women
Year-wise Metrics- 2019-20 38
- 2020-21 20
Milestones & Track Record
Saheli Women has opened a second atelier in Kali Beri village, expanded to over 100 artisans, developed relationships with ikat and handloom weaving communities, and become an advisory committee member for the UN Conscious Fashion & Lifestyle Network.
Leadership Team
M&E
-
Internal, External Assessors
No
Policies
-
Ethics and Transparency Policies
No
-
Formal CEO Oversight & Compensation Policy
No
Political & Religious Declarations
-
On Affiliation if any
No
-
On Deployment Bias if any
No
Registration Details
-
FCRA
Not Available
-
CSR Registration Number
Not Available