Poverty and unemployment levels have soared in rural Armenia since the collapse of large-scale state enterprises established during the socialist period. As elsewhere in the region, women were often hit hardest by economic transformation. Large-scale unemployment has affected far more women than men, sending them back to their homes and to a condition of social and economic marginalization.
The project was first implemented in May 2004 in a region of Armenia that is known for its handicrafts, particularly for tapestry and carpet weaving. The region is home to a large number of skilled women who became unemployed after the collapse of the Soviet system. The project set up a producers’ cooperative that trained a group of local craftswomen, provided them with raw materials and equipment and then employed them to produce high-quality handicrafts. In the project’s second stage the focus was shifted to product marketing. The project initiated various activities to promote the product, develop a market niche and find distribution channels. In April 2005 more than 40 high-quality carpets made by the craftswomen’s cooperative were displayed at a handicrafts trade fair held in the capital city of Yerevan. The project has done much to empower women, narrow existing gender gaps and generally improve living conditions for rural women. Its success has prompted the governments of several other districts to ask IFAD to replicate the project elsewhere. At present 32 previously unemployed craftswomen have been recruited by the cooperative, in addition to eight apprentices who want to learn carpet-weaving techniques. Twelve other craftswomen have been contracted by the cooperative to produce other types of handicrafts and have received technical assistance in their homes. These women have been able to increase to their household income, buy their children new clothes or invest their earnings in further education. The project is implemented by IFAD-financed programme in Armenia, the Rural Areas Economic Development Programme, with an emphasis on ensuring sustainability of production by creating solid and enduring links with markets. The project may well be replicated in one or more districts of Armenia. Source: IFAD |
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The Enhancing Rural Livelihoods through the Revival of Traditional
Handicrafts Project was designed to boost income-generating
opportunities for rural poor women by tapping into existing skills
and traditions and at the same time promoting national arts and crafts.
The project is part of a wider effort on the part of the Government
of Armenia to improve the status of women and create jobs for rural
women as an alternative to agriculture. Many traditional handicrafts
such as carpet weaving are practiced by older women but are not being
handed down to the younger generations. These handicrafts are used
within the home as well as being sold for income.