Moving towards Empowered Lives

Zig Zag machine embroidery training for Women in Booni Chitral

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Under the women empowerment component of Programme for Economic

Advancement and Community Empowerment, SRSP has started a series of skill

developing training events for poor women community members of Malakand division

enabling them to make over their skills into earnings and contribute to household

income leading to their empowerment and self-reliance.

Handy craft has been one of the core specialties of women in Chitral. With the

changing times, the trends and designs of handy craft has also been changing.

Modern technology has been introduced for making bad covers, decoration pieces

and wall hangings etc and this has given a new dimension to the sector. With

reducing the time required to a great extent, these have also expanded business

opportunities. In this regard, a 10 days training in Zig Zag machine for 22 local

women was organized district Chitral. Overall objective of the training was to

facilitate women in learning newly introduced technology and could be able to run

an enterprise.

22 participants were selected for 10 days Zigzag embroidery training from WCOs at

UCs Charun & laspur, Poverty score card exercise was already exercised for

identification of poor households.

The training methodology was very interesting,

reflecting dynamics of local market demands

and provided best knowledge about the usage

of machines with practical exercises.

The participatory approach gave an opportunity

to each and every participant with a boost in

confidence. The training was conducted in three

phases.

Step one comprised of delivering knowledge

machines and its usage followed by awareness

and session on creating new designs of handy

crafts through the machines. As a final step, the

I am much confident that now I can do the

designing and I have to do a lot of practice

to compete the market, says Zarnisa of

chitral

Summer (May to October) is considered as

marriage season in Chitral, which will

provide a great opportunity for the learners

to utilize acquired knowledge and skill and

best foundation for setting up business.

participants were given an opportunity to Show their Creativity through presentation

of innovative designs.

On completion of training, participants were awarded certificates and toolkits in the

presence of a local women entrepreneur ‘Miss Zialqaida’, the chief guest, who

applauded the efforts of SRSP Chitral and urged the trainees to utilize the newly

acquired skills. The ceremony was also attended by the representatives of WCOs.