> [!NOTE]+ Meta > Reference:: Meera Velayudhan, “Craft Traditions, Local Natural Resources and Changing Market: Study of Two Craft Communities Lohar Metal Bell Makers And Khatri Ajrakh Block Printers In Kachchh, Gujarat” Centre for Environment & Social Concerns Ahmedabad, ICSSR project report p. 61, 2014. > Date:: 2014 > Tags:: #warp > WeftLinks:: [[Equity value of craft]] > Claim:: [[Claim - Craft provides empowerment for women]] > [!SUMMARY] Summary > In Kachchh, women's self help groups revitalised the economic viability of crafts. ### Highlights In a study of pastoralist copper bell makers, from the Kachchh region of Gujarat in Western India, Meera Velayudhan notes that after the partition, when the cattle population and their movement was hampered by the India and Pakistan border the formation of women’s self help groups (SHG) became an opportunity for revitalizing the economic viability of the craft. >“The women in this community appear to have a more pronounced role within the family compared to Muslim women in other craft communities and are gradually moving towards recognizing the benefits of interest based loans, despite religious beliefs, if the contribution of women are added to the rates of copper bell size. The SHGs, in turn are linked with Khamir [a local ngo] which in turn builds linkages with government schemes and support programs (health, business).