Bengali 
English 
There is a revolution led by women at the heart of Bangladesh trying to recapture the country’s ancient handloom industry. The revival is preserving Bangladesh’s rich textile heritage while supporting artisans and contributing to the local economies.
The handloom industry, one of Bangladesh’s longest established industries has been suffering due to industrialization and waning demand. However, women weavers are giving this ancient craft new life particularly with the restoration of Jamdani weaving, a traditional technique endorsed by UNESCO in 2013 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Jamdani with its exquisite patterns and light cotton material is customly woven by craftspeople around Dhaka.
The Contribution of Aarong to Empowering Women Artisans
Aarong, created by BRAC in 1978 has played a key role in this revival. Working in partnership with more than 75,000 artisans throughout Bangladesh, Aarong offers a window for these traditional crafts as Jamdani weaving, Nakshi Kantha embroidery and pottery. Importantly, many of these artisans are women who have become financially independent and socially accepted through their craft. These efforts have changed the lives of many women.
Challenges Confronting Women Weavers
In spite of these developments, there are challenges. Tangail, known for its sarees, the handloom sector is declining because of competition from power looms, increasing cost of production and a lack of government support. Most women weavers here get only Tk 200 a day, barely managing to make ends meet. To maintain this industry, experts focus on the importance of raising weavers standards of living and offering more support.
These women weavers’ commitment is not only saving Bangladesh’s textile culture but also motivating a new generation to respect and carry on the tradition. Their work emphasizes the need to nurture and empower the artisans so that the handloom sector survives and thrives.
