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Dimapur, Oct. 20 (EMN): In an effort to make visible the roles and contributions of women home-based workers (HBW) in Nagaland, the North East Network (NEN), with its office based in Chizami village under Phek district, in collaboration with the Self Employed Women Association (SEWA), observed the International Home Based Workers Day on October 20 across three districts in Nagaland.
“Home based workers (HBW) produces goods and services for the market from within and around their homes. In Nagaland, a large section of women HBW are self -employed workers, engaged in weaving textiles and stitching clothes, processing and preparing food items, making craft products including jewellery, basket weaving, shoe-making etc. They not only contribute to the family's income but also contribute significantly to the local and national economy and yet they remain largely invisible, isolated and marginalised,” an update from NEN stated.
In Kohima, a skills development training was organised at NEN Kohima Resource Centre for HBWs. In a hands-on training, a total of 12 HBW learned basket weaving from Bedukhrulu. Basket weaving does not require additional infrastructure or high capital investment and also its portability makes it convenient for HBWs to engage in this activity, the statement read.
Meanwhile, a total of 7 HBW have participated in food processing training imparted by Vizotuo-u, where they learned pickle making skills using seasonal vegetables such as bitter gourd, king chilli, brinjal and cherry tomatoes. The training was aimed at equipping HBWs with the knowledge and skills to preserve surplus seasonal vegetables through value addition, while enabling them to earn an additional source of income.
In Shamator under Tuensang district, a total of 23 HBW participated in the exhibition-cum-sales of HBW’s products. Items that were put on sale included local snacks, chilly powder, traditional jewellery, woven textiles, baskets, knitted accessories, pickles, tailored masks etc. It stated that the exhibition attracted many consumers.
Similarly in Dimapur, a total of 74 HBWs participated in the exhibition-cum-sales of HBW’s products at Super Market area.
On the occasion, NEN also released a video on HBWs titled ‘We are workers too’ and also distributed a pamphlet on HBWs. It may be noted that International Labour Conference (ILC) adopted the Home Work Convention in 1996 recognising HBWs. The Convention (C177) aims to promote and protect the rights of those who work at home creating products.