Himalayan Naari is a catalyst for long-term change by providing women artisans with opportunities for economic empowerment, improved health and nutrition and ways to strengthen their community.

OUR PLATFORM

Fair trade

• Himalayan Naari business is based on dialogue,transparency and respect.
• Not only fair wages, but a long term holistic partnership enabling the Naari artisans to improve their lives and grow a sustainable business.

Skills and quality training

• Build artisan skills based upon their traditional crafts.
• Work in collaboration with local knitters and weavers to share new stitches, patterns, and designs.
• Strengthen quality practices to ensure outstanding products.

Sustainable incomes

• Provide artisan income based on Fair Trade principles.
• Create income opportunities for women where few options are available, especially focussing on the neediest members of the community.
• Return all profit to Himalayan Naari.

Market Access

• Provide access to the international marketplace where artisans are able to sell their products above local market prices.
• Develop Naari’s retail exposure through the Himalayan Naari On-line Store and the Himalayan Naari Retail Store in Chakouri.
• Develop the Naari brand of fine quality, modern design and traditional crafts.

Leadership training

• Build leadership skills within Naari so that local women are leading the business.
• Teach Naari leaders technology and business skills including email, spreadsheets, Cloud storage, inventory management, financial tracking, and order systems.

Educational workshops

• Offer workshops in computer skills, English language, nutrition, and community building.
• Teach general business lessons on Naari’s supply chain, business economics, payment distribution, and steps towards sustainability.

Regional collaboration

• Collaborate with women from across the region to learn from each other.
• Network with the women’s collective Maati to learn how to successfully build a self-help and community advocacy group.

Improve health and nutrition

• Assist Naari members in maintaining healthy nutrition, through nutritional assessments and education
• Provide supplemental feeding to pregnant, nursing and malnourished women
• Raise awareness about anemia and begin initiatives to decrease it among Naari members
• Improve menstrual health through better access to hygienic supplies

Community building

• Foster ways for the artisans to work, learn, and laugh together, enriching their relationships with each other.
• Provide a safe and comfortable space, in the form of the Women Center, where members can meet.
• Raise awareness about anemia and begin initiatives to decrease it among Naari members
• Create a communal emergency fund which is used to provide women loans or gifts in times of crisis.

Through these projects the women of Himalayan Naari are able to use their traditional, home-based skills to achieve economic independence and greater community strength. Artisans are provided a space to realize their own ability, creativity, and talents in an economically beneficial way for both themselves and their families.