Source: News on Air
Context: The Union Textiles Secretary announced that the Shilp Didi Programme has significantly boosted women artisans’ income, with some earning over ₹5 lakh.
About Shilp Didi Programme:
- What it is?
- A government initiative to economically empower women artisans (“Shilp Didis”) by providing training, digital skills, and market access, including e-commerce platforms and physical exhibitions.
- Launched In: 2024 (100-day pilot phase began in June 2024).
- Implemented By: Ministry of Textiles, through the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
- Aim: To make women artisans financially independent, improve design and business skills, and help them leverage modern marketing and entrepreneurship tools.
- Key Features:
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- E-training modules (entrepreneurship, regulatory compliance, social media, e-commerce onboarding).
- Marketing opportunities via Dilli Haat, craft fairs, and curated events.
- E-commerce integration for nationwide and global visibility.
- Baseline inclusion of 100 women artisans from 72 districts across 23 states.
- Covers 30 diverse handicrafts (textiles, pottery, metal crafts, embroidery, etc.).
- Capacity-building through National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) clusters.
- Significance:
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- Provides sustainable livelihoods and boosts rural/non-farm incomes.
- Strengthens micro-entrepreneurship among women in the handicrafts sector.
- Enhances digital inclusion—artisans use social media & e-commerce to expand markets.
