Call for Papers

ICSSR (as part of project under Vision Viksit Bharat@2047) Sponsored

National Conference
on

Challenges of Women Empowerment in India's Informal Sector

Challenges and Potential Strategies for Achieving the Goals of Vision Viksit Bharat@2047 and the
Sustainable Development Goals

11th & 12th February 2025

The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) No. 5 and No. 10
emphasize Gender Equality and Reduced Inequalities, advocating for global efforts to
address women's issues as a cornerstone of inclusive development. In alignment with
these goals, the Government of India's Vision Viksit Bharat@2047 (VVB) initiative aims
to achieve inclusive development by uplifting the most marginalized communities and
ensuring that no one is left behind. A central focus of this vision is harnessing the
untapped potential of women, thereby empowering them both financially and
socioeconomically. Additionally Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, and 8 aim
to achieve Zero Hunger and No Poverty while promoting the International Labour
Organization's (ILO) Decent Work Agenda for the period 2016–2030. In line with these
goals, the World Bank advocates for self-employment and entrepreneurship by launching
skill-development programs designed to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable workers.

An integral component of VVB@2047 is Nari Shaktikaran (women's

empowerment), as it is widely recognized that no nation can achieve the SDGs without
prioritizing women's empowerment. Esther Duflo (2012) highlights the symbiotic
relationship between women’s empowerment and economic development, arguing that
sustained policy commitment to gender equality is essential to foster both empowerment
and long-term development.

Further supporting this perspective, Hashemi et al. (1996) demonstrate that

providing women with greater access to resources not only enhances their individual
well-being but also improves the overall welfare of their families, creating a ripple effect
that benefits broader societal structures. Similarly, Muchomba (2021) finds that
economically empowered mothers protect their daughters from early marriage, prioritize
the education of their children, and contribute to poverty alleviation within their

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households. Collectively, these findings underscore the transformative impact of
empowering women on both micro and macro levels of development.

Empowering working-class women, particularly artisans, has consistently shown

positive outcomes when support programs are implemented effectively. Initiatives such
as training, financial support, and improved access to resources and markets have enabled
these communities to thrive, benefiting not only individuals but also the broader
community.

For instance, D. Radicic et al. (2016) highlight the beneficial effects of innovation
support programs in traditional manufacturing industries, demonstrating how such
initiatives can drive progress and sustainability. Similarly, Hashemi et al. (1996) provide
evidence from Bangladesh, showing that rural credit programs significantly contributed
to women's empowerment, enhancing their economic and social standing. These findings
emphasize the importance of targeted support mechanisms in fostering empowerment and
community prosperity.

As part of an ICSSR-funded project under the initiative Vision Viksit

Bharat@2047, we are undertaking a study of women engaged in Kantha embroidery in
rural West Bengal. Kantha, a traditional form of embroidery originating from West
Bengal, features unique patterns that often depict scenes from Indian epics and
mythologies, rural life, or elements of nature intricately woven into fabric. Over time,
Kantha has evolved, adapting to market demands and contemporary style trends.

The history of Kantha work in Birbhum is deeply intertwined with the efforts of
the Nobel Laureate and polymath Rabindranath Tagore. Recognizing its potential as a
livelihood opportunity for rural women, Tagore integrated Kantha into his rural
reconstruction programs. He facilitated training centers to empower women artisans,
thereby reviving and popularizing this traditional art form. Since then, Kantha has
garnered attention from both national and international handloom and handicraft markets.

However, preliminary findings from our research indicate that the women artisans
involved in Kantha work do not receive compensation that adequately reflects the time,
effort, and skill invested in their craft. Creating a traditional Kantha saree requires
approximately 450 hours of meticulous embroidery and stitching. This demanding
process involves prolonged periods of sitting on the floor, causing significant strain on
the artisans' eyes and backs. Despite the immense effort and dedication involved, the
financial returns for their labor are minimal.

Also important to note is that two key capability deprivations are evident among
vulnerable workers in the informal sector, as outlined by Amartya Sen (1983, 2013):

Educational and Skill Deprivation: Workers in the informal sector often face limited
access to education and skill development due to their lower socio-economic
backgrounds, which restricts their opportunities for upward mobility and professional
growth.

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Bargaining Power Deprivation: The absence of collective bargaining mechanisms
leaves these workers at the mercy of intermediaries and private wholesale or retail buyers,
resulting in lower real wages and longer working hours, further exacerbating their
economic vulnerabilities.

These deprivations highlight the systemic challenges faced by informal workers

and underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve their socio-economic
conditions. Preliminary findings of our research show that our cohort- the Kantha
workers also suffer from the above deprivations.

As part of the ongoing study, this proposed conference invites abstracts for paper
presentations on related themes to explore and understand the challenges and
opportunities surrounding women’s empowerment in the informal sector in India. Also,
with only six years remaining to achieve critical SDGs, this conference will examine the
issues and challenges surrounding inclusive and sustainable development in the Global
South, fostering dialogue on strategies to accelerate progress in these regions.

Abstracts are invited for the paper presentation in the following themes but not limited
to.
1. Kantha Work: A Pathway to Women’s Empowerment in Rural Bengal
2. Issues of Women artisans in India
3. Issues of women empowerment in informal sector
4. Success stories of women artisan turned entrepreneurs in India
5. Work, wage and profit in the informal sector
6. Capability deprivation, skills and education and SDGs.
7. State, NGO and Market and Women empowerment
8. Export opportunities for small scale and cottage industries
9. Rural Reconstruction through women empowerment
10. Ethnography of art and artisans with special focus on women artisans
11. Art and artisans of Tribal (Adivasi) Societies

The selected high-quality papers will be compiled into an edited volume published by a
reputable publisher. We invite submissions of abstracts for papers based on original
research that have not been submitted for publication elsewhere.

Abstract Submission Guidelines:

Please submit an abstract that includes the title of the paper, the author's name(s),
keywords, a brief biography of the author(s), as well as their email address and phone
number through the following

https://forms.gle/vub6UuoWbi7sRGtq7

The abstract should not exceed 350 words and must cover the following points:

➢ What is currently known on the topic

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➢ Identification of a research gap or problem
➢ How your research addresses the gap or problem
➢ The research methodology used
➢ The contribution of your paper to existing knowledge or your study area,
highlighting key takeaways from your research.

Important Dates:
Last date of Abstract Submission 26.12.2024
Intimation of Acceptance for paper presentation 05.01.2025
Submission of full paper 26.01.2025
Conference 11 & 12th Feb 2025
Intimation of acceptance of paper for book chapter 25.02.2025

*Railway Tickets (Sleeper class) for the shortest possible route will be reimbursed upon
producing the tickets. Accommodation for the paper presenters is being explored subject
to the availability of funds.

Conference will be organized at Department of Anthropology in collaboration with

Department of Social Work, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal; Kamala Nehru
College and Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, University of Delhi.

For any queries, please write to [email protected]

Convenor of the Seminar:

Dr. Monami Sinha

Associate Professor
Department of Economics
Kamala Nehru College
August Kranti Marg
New Delhi- 110049

Co-Convenors of the Seminar:

Prof. Narender Thakur Dr. Subhashree Sanyal Dr. Sipoy Sarveswar

Department of Economics Assistant Professor Assistant Professor
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar College Department of Social Work Department of Anthropology
University of Delhi Institute of Rural Reconstruction Vidya Bhavana
Main Wazirabad Road, Visva Bharati Visva-Bharati
Yamuna Vihar Sriniketan Campus 731236 Santiniketan
Delhi-110032 West Bengal- 731235