Slum Women Weaving Life with Bright Colours!

KOZHIKODE: A group of women from the Komery slum here are all set to enter the snazzy world of fashion, having completed their three-month fashion designing course under the Community Infrastructure Development project of Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP). These 20 women, of whom 19 are housewives, will showcase their designing skills in an exhibition to be held on August 15.The Community Infrastructure Development of the KSUDP is being implemented in 40 select slums in Kozhikode corporation with an aim of developing infrastructure in slums.“These women belonging to economically backward families were completely ignorant of fashion designing, though a few of them were proficient in tailoring. Through daily workshops and lectures by experts in the field, they were introduced to new trends in fashion designing.”The project has indeed changed the economic status of the women and their families.Products including designer sarees, ornaments and handicrafts, made by these units will be put on sale at the ISM hall in Kozhikode on the Independence Day. They also undertake bulk orders from shops in different parts of the district. At present, these women are earning around Rs 3,000- 6000 a month.“This is a new dawn in our lives and now we can stand on our own feet,” said Lallu, a beneficiary of the project.The KSUDP has implemented this project with the help of Kudumbashree after successfully setting up a bag-making unit for women living in the same slum. Krishna Kumar, Social Development Officer of KSUDP said, this was a project aimed at empowering women and making them self employed in various fields. “From the several applications we received, KSUDP selected 20 members from low income families for the fashion design training. We will continue to provide all help including financial aid to uplift them to the mainstream of the society.”The designers are now eyeing to set up a common production unit.  “Now, each member is working separately at their own houses.A common production unit is necessary to expand the venture. KSUDP officials have promised us that a unit would soon be established by providing bank loans at subsidised rates,” said Vineetha, another fashion designer.