Sabah News

Issue 1 | Oct 2011

SABAH Nepal “Advancing Capabilities and Increasing income for Empowerment and Strengthened Livelihoods”

Kathmandu Declaration on Home based workers was adopted on 20th October, 2000 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Subsequently HomeNet South Asia (HNSA) organized a Strategic Visioning Exercise in Dhaka, Bangladesh for South Asian countries Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal; to form the Vision for Home nets in the next 5 years. So, all the Country HomeNets of South Asia marked 20th October to be celebrated as Home based Worker’s Day in all the South Asian countries.

The objective to celebrate 20th Oct as the Homebased Worker’s Day is to make Homebased Workers more visible, enhance their identity as a worker, highlight their issues at the country, regional and international levels. Hence, treating this day as an auspicious occasion, SABAH Nepal brings two prime celebrations; the launching of its official newsletter and the much awaited ‘Ananta: The Enchanting Weave’ event.

Informal sector usually do not have designated business place to conduct their business. Thus they use their ‘home place’ as the place of work from where they conduct their business.

‘ILO Convention 177’ thus defines Home Based Work as the work carried out by the Home based Worker (HBWs) :

• In her/his home or in other premises of her /his choice other than the work place of the employer.

• For remuneration which results in a product or service as specified by the employer, irrespective of who provides the equipments, materials or other inputs.

Thus there are two specific category of HBWs:• Those working on ‘piece rate basis’• Those who are self-employed and thus are ‘own account worker’.These workers who are mostly illiterate, invisible, unrepresented and voiceless are widespread around the world, particularly in third world countries. Out of 100 million HBW in the world, 50% are positioned in South Asia out of which 80% are Women HBWs. In Nepal the composition of HBW comprises of about 20% of the Informal sector, thus there are around 2.2 million HBW in Nepal (based on conjectural estimate).

Note from publisher :SABAH Nepal is happy to introduce its first official quarterly newsletter anticipated to resound and reflect the activities of SABAH Nepal , bring the invisible HomeBased Workers into the mainstream and bring their overall issues/skills/progress of

HBWs into the foreground as well as apprise about upcoming events and seasons’ products.

Sabah Celebrating Women HomeBased Workers’ Day

Who are Home Based Workers?

Dhaka Weavers at work, their residence andtheir workplace; in Bhaktapur

Collective Work: the embroiders embellishinga saree ; in Khokana

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Issue 1 , Oct 2011


SABAH Nepal in BriefBackground

The mere scope for income generation to women have always been limited to home based activities dealing with their traditional skills and crafts of sewing, weaving, knitting etc. These individual home based workers/producers have been producing textiles, garments (from wool, cotton, and indigenous fibres like Hemp, Allo, etc) and other related products for ages; the earning from such, however, are only enough for their bare subsistence.

Hence, realizing the need of proper organization to intervene in this, SABAH (SAARC Business Association of Home Based Workers) Nepal has been instituted to provide ‘livelihood betterment’ opportunities to these women home based workers.

About SABAH NEPAL

Registered in 2008, under the Company Act, SABAH Nepal, a ‘non profit sharing’ organization, strives to empower the women home based workers.

It invests in capacity Building of women HBWs, it enables the production of quality garments, accessories and lifestyle products by making use of its Trade Facilitation Centre and its resources; markets and promotes their products and thus helps to provide increased income possibilities to strengthen their livelihood.

SABAH envisions to organize women HBWs; give recognition to their work; link them with the market; provide them regular, fair and increased income source; provide visibility to this invisible group and ultimately bring them into the national mainstream.

VisionA Leading self-sustained social business organization, owned and managed by the women HBWs; committed to the creation and strengthening of self- sustaining livelihood through effective organizing, capacity building and economic empowerment.

StrategySABAH Nepal provides three core services namely Capacity Building, Production facilities and Marketing services by building grassroots system maximizing HBWs’ motivation, productivity and the quality of their work.

SABAH’s TFC at Kusunti, Lalitpur

Product Design and Development underStitching in SABAH TFC

SABAH Nepal’s Stall in Exhibition HBWs from each SABAH chaptersgathered in SAARC summit, Bhutan

HBWs undergoing orientation in Nalinchokcluster, at outskirts of Bhaktapur

Yarncraft training in a Setidevi cluster,at outskirts of kathmandu

MarketOrientation &

PRODUCT Development

Build &Strengthen

Supply Chain

MARKETING&

BRANDING

Learning by Sharing AmongstSABAH member across Nepal

& SAARC regions

CAPACITYBuilding: Skill Enhancement

& Advancement

SABAH NEPAL

Retrospective Revelation

Messages from our Stakeholders

SABAH Nepal unfolded its activities taking 25 Women HBWs as Members during its establishment phase (Februry ‘09); which now has reached over 790 (as of September ‘11). It now possess a resource pool of over 550 trained members, capable to produce quality products, run SABAH’s value chain including its Trade Facilitation Centre and are also capable to train other HBWs. Overall, SABAH Nepal is being together run by its members/shareholders as its managers. The leaders organize HBWs, manage clusters; the unit coordinators, supervisors, quality controllers are running the TFC; the trainers conduct trainings while others market the products.

Retrospecting, SABAH Nepal managed to establish its Trade Facilitation Centre in its own premises in Kusunti, Lalitpur in January 2010 and extension of present TFC is under progress aiming to accommodate more training and production demands.

As of now, it has provided income opportunities to more than 545 members while 165 are getting regular increased income opportunities.

In view of need to presenting ourselves to the local market, SABAH Brand of apparel was launched with the value-added kurtis (with contemporary designs and ethnic feel) in August 2010 which met excellent sales and acclaim. SABAH in collaboration with ‘SAARC Chamber Craft Village’ established retailing of SABAH Nepal’s range of products from apparel, home furnishings to accessories.

Working towards its vision to reach out to larger numbers of HBWs, SABAH initiated regionalization process by establishing CFCs in 5 clusters providing premise for the HBWs to meet, produce the quality orders, and to undergo trainings. SABAH has initiated the establishment of a Value chain in remote areas like Sankhuwasawa, this also harnesses the abundant natural resources and uses its Productivity.

In order to do self-assessment; SABAH Nepal conducted Mid-review Impact study in Aug-Sep 2010, which brought the findings of accomplishments of having increased income of 29 percent of its members within its 1st year of establishment.

SABAH Nepal also embarked on ‘Food sector’ in 2010. It participated in national level exhibitions, rendered catering services in different programs, and subsequently, a Cafe has been established named as ‘The Village’ within the SAARC Chamber Crafts Village premises.

SABAH has also established Network with Fair Trade Group Nepal and hence has been executing job orders for four major Fair Trade organizations.

SABAH Nepal recognizes the kindness granted by SAARC Development fund and having the cardinal advantages from SABAH Nepal’s partnering with SEWA/TFC (STFC) and HomeNet South Asia (HNSA). STFC has not only technically empowered SABAH but also has rendered relentless support to empower its members. Likewise HNSA has enabled SABAH to reach out to HBWs in Nepal and to establish linkage with international organizations like WIEGO, People4Change, etc.

It gives me immense pleasure to wish SABAH Nepal for launching of its newsletter which intends to reflect the overall development of Women’s economic empowerment and this indeed plays a major role in the national development context. What SABAH has been able to do in the Nepal is praise worthy. As the Enforcer of HomeNet South Asia, I feel privileged to be able to observe your activities very closely. I see SABAH as a very unique organization which has given legitimacy to the issues of Home Based Workers. You have been successful in making them the Shareholders of SABAH which is unique and the ownership can be seen vividly by all of us. You have made these feeble voices loud and clear and given them not only visibility, but the Human face of these empowered Women is shared widely.

The good work that SABAH has been doing for last two and half years really needs to be shared with a wider audience. As you have mastered the Art through your Research and have capacity in order to link it with National, Regional and International markets. So your plan to bring out this newsletter is very timely and appropriate since it is coming out on October 20th, the auspicious day being celebrated as ‘Women Home Based Workers Day’ ten years after the ‘Kathmandu Declaration’.

I wish SABAH will be able to transparently share its accomplishments through this newsletter. I wish you all the best.

Chandni JoshiEnforcer/HomeNet South Asia

I see a great beginning has been made to support the Home based Workers of Nepal.

I hope these will be scaled up in product basket, geographical coverage, economic strata, etc.

My best wishes to this venture.

Mr. KarmaCEO, SAARC Development Fund

Issue 1 , Oct 2011


SABAH Nepal in print media

The Village Cafe

‘Ananta: an enchanting weave’

‘The Village cafe” is a special initiative of SABAH Nepal; the intrinsic objective of which is to bring Women HBWs in the mainstream market by catering the Ethnic Nepalese Cuisines to food enthusiasts and also to preserve and promote age old Nepalese tradition and culture.

Beside the skills in handicraft, most of the women home based workers have natural flair in preparation of traditional food passed down from generations. SABAH Nepal’s intervention in training these women by qualified food technicians in quality control, standardization and hygiene will be the key success factor of “The Village Café”. Moreover, “The Village café” also aims to establish

‘ANANTA: an enchanting weave’ being held this October 21-23 is to commemorate the Women Home Based Workers day through the showcasing of their products. This is SABAH’s special effort to weave a colorful tapestry of South Asia, to interlace innovation and creativity and simultaneously showcase cohesive SAARC spirit, vision, strength, solidarity as well as interdependency of South Asian women.

The program, partitioned into two folds will have a ‘Fashion-show for a Cause’ on the first day, being portrayed as an innovative non-conventional strategy to promote and market the products being produced by the WHBWs and designed by nationally and internationally acclaimed designers. Thus, it is not an event to exhibit only glamour but rather, is an event for a cause to create market for the WHBWs’ products.

a strong food value chain that would provide direct benefits to various producers and farmers involved in producing raw materials, ingredients required in preparation of such food products.

SABAH has undertaken the Food Sector into its priority and started its activity at the micro level, but in due course of time, the ultimate goal shall be to develop an Organic Haat Bazaar at the macro level, where diversified farm products and processed food products shall be scientifically marketed. This would not only enable SABAH members to generate additional revenue but it shall also pave Broad Avenue of employment to large quantum of WHBWs of the nation. Contact: 5540712

Dhaka has been used innovatively in designs by British designer; fabrics made from allo(the indigenous fibre from mountains of Nepal) has been used in the making of

coatsdesigner; accessories has been made from allo, dhaka and raadi by Japanese designer and other natural fabrics of silk, bamboo, cotton, bananaand hemp has been incorporated in stylish wearable designs by Nepali designers.

The Second and third day i.e. Oct 22 & 23, shall be marked with an exhibition which will showcase products made of rural raw materials blended with modern designs made by SABAH Nepal members & by HBWs from other SABAH chapters like SABAH Pakistan, SABAH Afghanistan, SABAH Sri lanka, SABAH Bhutan, SABAH Bangladesh and SEWA TFC/India.

Issue 1 , Oct 2011


Products of the season

Our Shop-In-Shops1. Bhatbhateni: Shrestha Store, 98030303162. Basundhara:Sarmi Lady Tailor,98080760403. Battisputali: Mamata’s Creation,98033565564. Kupondole: Slim-You, 50111625. New Road: Juju Shopping centre,97410100666. Lazimpat: Women’s Creation Centre, 0144258987. Pulchok: SAARC Chamber Crafts Village,55237668. Sanepa: Women’s Creation Center

Our Customers1. Kumbheswor Technical School2. Association of Craft Producers3. Sana Hastakala4. Manushi5. Nilo6. Rochak Handicrafts7. Everest Knitwear, etc. 8. SEWA TFC/ HANSIBA

Textile&

ApparelHome

FurnishingAccessories

Issue 1 , Oct 2011


Highlights from July - September 2011

SABAH Nepal’s graduation to PHASE II Participation in TGIF Fashion Week

Ananta Curtain Raiser program was held in 25th August at SAARC Secretariat to share the highlights about the program. The program was graced by SAARC Secretary General Her Excellency Ms. Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed and attended by contingent of dignitaries, celebrities and media houses. The Curtain Raiser was addressed by Mr. Karma, CEO of SDF; Ms. Chadni Joshi, Enforcer/HNSA; Ms. Reema Nanavaty, Chair- SEWA/TFC and SABAH Nepal’s President Diwaker Chand. The program also saw the presence of Secretary of Finance Mr. Krishna Hari Baskota, far famed actor Ms.Manisha Koirala, respected Ani Choying Dolma, and dignitaries like Bhavana Rana (VC of FNCCI), Mr.Subash Niraula of NTB, Mr.Bhim UDASH (NRN Organization), Miss Nepal 2010 and many others. The efficacious skit performed by Jitu Nepal and Mrs. Sabita Gurung brought vibration and enlivened the entire event.

SABAH Nepal, nearing to complete its Phase I 2009-2011, got the official approval of having graduated to Phase II 2012-2014 during the strategic meet from Sep 6-11, 2011.

SABAH Nepal, hence, is to receive continued support from SAARC Development Fund.

SABAH Nepal during its Phase II is to focus on its Regionalization, particularly in regions where indigenous fibres can be harnessed. Through regionalization and decentralization of SABAH Nepal, it aims to reach out to more marginalized women home based workers of Nepal. SABAH Phase II will also concentrate on marketing, branding and promotion and also strive to be self-sustained institution.

SABAH Nepal presented its line ‘Ethnicity Revitalized’ during TGIF Fashion Week held in Hotel Hyatt on September 23rd. Total of 9 clothes produced by SEWA TFC using Nepal’s indigenous fabrics like nettle and jute made by HBWs from remote regions with age old embroidery revived by HBWs of Gujrat were presented. The sequence presented in the last out of Six sequences was introduced as the ‘Special Sequence’ and received huge applause from the audience.

SAARC SG Her Excellency Ms. FathimathDhiyana Saeed addressing to the audience

A skit about son realizing the value ofhis mother’s skills; a Homebased worker

BOD and Convenor of ‘Ananta’ Ms. Sristi Joshi Mallaintroducing Ananta event during the Curtain Raiser

Mr. Karma, CEO of SDF addressing to the audience

Issue 1 , Oct 2011


News Briefs

Exposure Visit to India

The team of 18 (one Capacity Building Staff and 17 members from clusters) attended the Exposure visit to SEWA in Ahmedabad, India from 13-23 September. The team got exposure to SEWA, STFC, SEWA Bank, SEWA Management School, etc and were trained in organizing, working in group, leadership, register and record maintaining, distribution and collection of job orders, quality check, grading and wage payments etc. Incorporation of practical mediums like story telling, games, skit etc helped the participants get the fullest out of the lessons being given

The participants have acquired greater clarity on SABAH’s strategy and goals and have shown higher dedication to further SABAH’s progress. The participants received inspiration and motivations from SEWA and from stories of shareholders and their hard work. Participants also stated they experienced their personality developed, and increase in their confidence.

PAGE 7

Highlights from July - September 2011

Teej Celebration

Teej Celebration program held in August 26 was graced by Chandni Joshi, Enforcer/HNSA who provided motivation and encouragement to the present members and SABAH Nepal family. Mr. Karma and representatives of SDF; Monica Raina, President Diwaker Chand, BoD Sristi malla & SABAH Bhutan Project Manager also joined the HBWs in the jubilation.

The HBWs refreshed from their daily routine and joined in for different games, dancing and feasting on the traditional food catered by ‘The village’ Café.

Participations in Exhibitions

SABAH Nepal in July participated in four ‘Teej’ exhibitions organized/held by Women’s Creation Centre, WEAN, Civil Mall and Begam Party Palace. Apparel of Teej Collection were launched and merchandized during the exhibitions. SABAH Nepal also participated in Dashain Exhibition organized in Baluwatar in September.

Trainers’ Workshop

Trainers’ Workshops were organized on 22nd and 24th August providing platform to share their experience, suggest to ameliorate trainings and most importantly acquire the additional skills and knowledge in order to be the successful trainer and achieve the expected outcomes of trainings.

• Two new shops ‘Mamata’s Creation’, a store in Juju Shopping Centre to retail SABAHs merchandizes

• Product Development Workshop 3-13 August under Jitendrabhai from Ahmedabad, India

trained members to develop apparel from natural fabrics like Allo, Cotton, Silk, etc.

• Advanced Stitching ToT, Basic Stitching trainings at Koteswor, Khadbari & Basundhara clusters.

• Visit of SEWA/TFC staff for Production Process training where SABAH’s TFC coordinators were

trained in July

• SABAH’s 1st batch member Shanta Shakya interviewed on Kantipur FM’s ‘Sangharsh’; Ms shakya

stated about her life story and her current endeavour with SABAH Nepal as a ‘Master trainer’

• Observatory visit made to Nawalparasi where a group of 15 women were earlier trained by Gharelu

(Department of Small cottage Industries) and MEDEP (Micro enterprise development)Program).

‘The Village Café’ Opening

The Village’ café opened officially on 22 September 2011 highlighting Yomaree as its signature product. During the event, live demonstration of how food are prepared by the HBWs with usage of organic ingredients was done. President Diwaker Chand, CEO Robin Amatya and Café’s F&B supervisor Rajee Dhital addressed the formal opening. The program saw footfall of 80 approximately with presence of representatives from leading print medias.

Miss Nepal Sadikchya Shrestha and Runner ups Sahana Bajracharya and Samyukta Timsina visited SABAH premises on July . They observed TFC and interacted with the HBWs.

Observing and Interactingwith TFC coordinators

Miss Nepal’s Visit

Participants learning about Groupwork

Home Base Worker in jubilation

Issue 1 , Oct 2011


Metamorphosis in my life, Thanks to SABAH

Upcoming Events:

• SABAH Nepal’s section at SAARC Chamber Crafts Village to be upgraded to accommodate high-end products.• Launching of products-apparel and home furnishing for upscale market.• Visit of team from STFC for strengthening the clusters Oct ‘11• Leadership Training in SEWA, Ahmedabad., India Nov ‘11• Continuation of Trainings in various clusters.• SABAH Nepal plans to have SABAH Pavilion in 9th FHAN Handicraft Exhibition 24-28 Nov 2011.• Village Cafe to participate as Official Food Partner in 9th FHAN Exhibition.• SABAH’s sequence will be showcased in Fashion event organized by HANDECEN during 9th FHAN Exhibition.

Deo maya limbu, 45 year old from Terathum, has been a Dhaka weaver for more than 28 years. Having learnt the weaving from her mother in her early teens, Deo maya earned barely enough. With the dream to earn big, she migrated to Kathmandu where she worked in a Dhaka weaving factory for few years. When the owner closed down the factory, Deo maya gathered her nerves to borrow money, purchased a loom and became the ‘self-employed/own-account’ worker. But despite weaving about 3 sarees in a month, she could hardly save, compelling her to borrow money even just to meet her living costs.

Then the life changing opportunity came when Deo maya became the beneficiary member (shareholder) of SABAH Nepal. Now, a sample maker at SABAH Nepal, she weaves various Dhaka impeccably as per the patterns

given by in-house and even international designers. Her woven samples are then later produced in quantity by her weaver friends who have formed a group in Bhaktapur.

Today, she not only has steady income and upgraded skills but also has contributed in furthering the fellow weavers’ lives in her cluster through SABAH. One of her biggest achievements by being a member of SABAH is that she managed to pay off her debt, which had been lingering for years, within a year.

She proudly states, “My biggest satisfaction is that I am free of debt, and I have also opened a way for my weaver friends to have increased income through SABAH, and also not to forget that my woven fabrics have got its right value and appreciation”. She cannot help but give a wide smile

to add that “various dignitaries, celebrities and models will be showcasing our Dhaka patterns, and I can see that we will be getting more orders for Dhaka after the ‘Ananta’ program. Now my wish is to see my friends get a big turn in their lives, the way I had mine after joining SABAH.”

Deo maya weaving one of popularpatterns in her previous room

Testimonials

“SABAH Nepal has been established with a noble objective to help women HBWs of Nepal and I would like extend my best wishes for its Success.”Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal, Former Prime Minister

“SABAH Nepal indeed is platform where we, homebased workers, not only get opportunities to earn but also to develop our personalities. It provides environment where we can achieve a Lot with our skills. I myself am deeply indebted to SABAH Nepal.” Nanda kala Limbu, SABAH beneficiary member and Trainer

LSMC-13, Naya Nagar, Kusunti(Behind Transport Office)Lalitpur, NepalPhone: 00 977 1 5546809/ 5549417Fax: 00 977 1 5549417E-mail: [email protected]

Editorial Board:Advisors: Mr. Diwaker Chand, President Mr. Robin Amatya, CEOEditing & Production: Sunee Singh

SAARC Business AssociationOf Home Based Workers Nepal

Issue 1 , Oct 2011


Sabah News

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Transcript of Sabah News