Empowerment of Women in Howrah District through Zari Works (1966-2020): A Study

Abstract

Zari, also known as (Jari) works, is a hand embroidery, and it economically affected the lives of the people of the Howrah district, specifically women. The paper attempts to examine how this work influenced their socio-economic lives and empowered them through Zari works from 1966-2020. In Howrah district, according to the census of 2001, data indicates bout 84.2 percent of workers of the total population were economically dependent on non-agricultural works, and about 11.5 percent of workers were involved in the household sector; there were approximately 9.2 percent males, and nearly 26.8 percent of workers were women, higher than men in household industries. The majority of women involved in the Zari sector were from the Muslim community; still, women from the Hindu community also benefited from this work and improved their socio-economic status. Zari works is a traditional handicraft; the word originates from the Persia, which means a kind of embroidery art using gold and silver threads worked on various fabrics to elaborate them. This works became a major source of women's empowerment. It was not only a major occupation of the people of Howrah district in West Bengal, other districts, including Purbo and Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly, Burdwan, and Birbhum, there was not only a large number, but also some women, especially women engaged in this works. They become more concerned about their health and have economically supported their families. They faced many challenges because of society’s conservatism. This study analyses the challenges they have faced, their journey towards empowerment, and their influence on society through Zari works.