Representation of Women in Craft
Women are essential to the craft and artisan industries worldwide, contributing significantly to labor and creativity. However, their roles often come with challenges like low pay, limited leadership opportunities, and systemic barriers. Here's a snapshot of the situation across regions:
- Global Workforce: Women make up 75% of the garment industry and 60-80% of cotton farmers but hold only 14% of top leadership roles in fashion.
- North America: Women dominate platforms like Etsy (87% of sellers) but face underrepresentation in industries like craft brewing, where only 22.6% of breweries are women-owned.
- Latin America: Indigenous and Afro-descendant women lead 68.5% of craft initiatives, preserving heritage while battling undervaluation and design plagiarism.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Women excel in artisan cooperatives, yet literacy and financial barriers limit growth, with only 16.3% holding top managerial roles.
- South Asia: Women artisans, especially in India, reinvest 90% of earnings into families but earn as little as $0.89 daily, with 90% lacking formal education.
- Europe: Women represent 49.5% of cultural workers but face pay gaps, occupational segregation, and limited recognition in self-employment and leadership.
While progress exists through cooperatives, social enterprises, and reforms, systemic inequalities - like gender pay gaps, cultural norms, and limited financial access - persist. Addressing these barriers requires targeted policies, fair trade practices, and societal shifts to support women artisans globally.
1. North America
Regional Trends
In North America, women play a leading role in the craft industry. In the United States, a notable 71% of consumers identify as crafters. Similarly, in Canada, 87% of parents enjoy arts and crafts with their children, reflecting a shared enthusiasm for creativity[1][3]. The rise of digital platforms like YouTube and Instagram has revolutionized how women engage with crafts, offering spaces to showcase their talents and even launch home-based businesses[1]. Canadian brands such as dorsaLi, which highlight ethical craftsmanship, further illustrate this trend. Trends Analyst Kimberly Hernandez captures this sentiment, stating, "Crafting remains a fulfilling hobby and creative outlet. Blending tradition with modern influences, crafts offer a sense of shared creativity and connection."[1]
Industry-Specific Representation
The digital era has also elevated women’s entrepreneurial roles in crafts. Platforms like Etsy demonstrate this shift, where 87% of sellers are women, with an average age of 39. Many of these sellers started their businesses to earn extra income, collectively generating $4.7 billion in small business sales for the U.S. economy[2].
However, representation is uneven across industries. In craft brewing, for example, women own only 22.6% of breweries. While they make up 54% of non-managerial service roles, such as bartenders, they are underrepresented in ownership and leadership positions[4].
Progress Indicators
Efforts to address gender disparities are gaining traction. Initiatives like Women MAKE America aim to expand opportunities for women in manufacturing and close workforce gaps. Their programs, such as the Women MAKE Awards and Women Connect events, celebrate female leaders and foster networking and skill development[5]. Research highlights the benefits of gender diversity: companies with the highest percentage of women in executive roles are 47% more profitable than those with the lowest representation. Additionally, businesses that increased gender diversity on their boards between 2013 and 2018 were significantly more likely to adopt sustainable practices, including reducing energy use (60%), greenhouse gas emissions (39%), and water consumption (46%)[6].
Barriers to Equality
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. In the craft beer industry, women often contend with sexist marketing and stereotypes. The broader lack of awareness and empathy for systemic issues exacerbates these barriers, with the industry frequently perceived as exempt from societal inequalities[4]. The overwhelming majority of brewery owners - 88.4% - identify as white, underscoring the intersectional challenges that disproportionately affect women of color[4].
| Factor Inhibiting Gender Diversity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Retention challenges related to work-life balance | 59% |
| Unwelcoming corporate culture for women | 57% |
| Retention challenges related to perceived lack of career mobility | 40% |
| Negative industry image | 39% |
| Gender imbalance in STEM education | 36% |
| Difficulty re-entering the industry after taking parental or caregiving leave | 35% |
Brienne Allan, former brewer at Notch Brewing, candidly remarked, "I think it's bullshit. I don't think we [craft beer] have ever been a safe space for anyone."[4]
Betsy Lay, co-founder and head brewer at Lady Justice Brewing Company, stressed, "Craft beer needs to listen to Black and brown voices. They need to listen to queer voices. They need to continue to get better at listening to the voices of women in general."[4]
2. Latin America
Regional Trends
In Latin America, the craft industry weaves together centuries-old traditions with modern efforts to empower communities. Women play a central role in this sector, driven by a mix of cultural preservation and economic necessity. A study across eight countries identified 89 craft initiatives, with a striking 68.5% led by Indigenous women, 18% by Afro-descendant women, 9% by women from local communities, and 4.5% by mixed groups. Around 70% of these enterprises focus on highly specialized practices, many of which have been passed down for over a thousand years and persist even outside traditional communal territories [8]. These women not only safeguard their cultural identity but also build economic independence, often standing firm against external pressures. Migrant women, in particular, have formed associations to keep their cultural traditions alive through handicrafts and community events, creating networks that go beyond financial support [8]. This blend of cultural and economic resilience has paved the way for unique entrepreneurial models.
Industry-Specific Representation
The handicraft industry in Latin America is deeply specialized, with many businesses tying textile production directly to tourism [8]. Women are at the forefront of this integration, crafting business models that celebrate their cultural heritage. For instance, the Masehual Cihuamej Collective, established in 1985 in Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico, supports Indigenous families. Today, Rufina Villa Hernandez manages the Taselotzin hotel, which doubles as a refuge and a fair-trade space for artisans [7]. Similarly, Cecilia Santiago founded the Alabel Dhuche Collective (Indigenous Hands) in Tamaletom, San Luis Potosí, Mexico, to preserve Teenek culture through embroidery that tells Teenek history [7]. In X-Pichil, Quintana Roo, Amanda Tah Arana leads the Loo'l Pich collective, which has revived over 20 embroidery techniques, ensuring these skills are passed on to younger generations while providing women with a path to economic independence [7].
Progress Indicators
Building on these success stories, women’s cooperatives are evolving to strengthen political participation and secure fair pay. Strategic alliances are helping preserve cultural practices while opening doors to niche markets. The increasing use of online platforms has also been a game-changer, allowing artisans to reach international audiences without losing the authenticity of their traditions. Additionally, aesthetics have become a powerful tool for Afro-descendant women, helping them carve out a distinct space in the market [8].
Barriers to Equality
Despite these advancements, women in Latin America face significant hurdles, including limited recognition and fair compensation. Handicrafts are often undervalued compared to fine art, which restricts fair pay and acknowledgment. Plagiarism and the appropriation of Indigenous designs by luxury fashion brands further erode the efforts of original artisans and diminish the cultural value of their work [7]. Broader structural issues remain entrenched: women hold just 15% of management roles and own only 14% of companies across Latin America and the Caribbean [10]. The gender pay gap averages 17%, while female unemployment stands at 10% [9].
"Gender inequality, particularly in the labor market, has hampered economic growth and social development in the region for too long. That is why investing in female leadership and promoting women-owned businesses is essential to drive strong and sustainable growth throughout Latin America and the Caribbean,"
said IDB President Mauricio Claver-Carone [10]. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened these challenges, leaving millions of women unable to re-enter the workforce [9].
3. Sub-Saharan Africa
Regional Trends
Sub-Saharan Africa is a region where traditional craft skills meet modern economic challenges. Women play a leading role in many artisan sectors here, excelling in textiles, pottery, ceramics, beadwork, basketry, and other traditional crafts [12]. A large number of these women work in the informal economy, often relying on cooperatives and collective action as a lifeline for economic stability [11].
In Kenya, the cooperative model stands out as a key driver of livelihoods, with 80% of the population earning their income through cooperative participation [11]. Across the region, women are increasingly forming micro-credit groups, savings circles, and artisan cooperatives to access resources and capital that would otherwise be out of reach [11].
International partnerships also play a big role in shaping the artisan landscape. Many cooperatives collaborate with wholesale distributors through "white label" agreements, enabling them to reach global markets [11]. This has opened doors for women to scale their traditional crafts into thriving businesses while preserving their cultural heritage. These partnerships, combined with local innovation, are creating new opportunities for women artisans to grow and succeed.
Industry-Specific Representation
Women dominate traditional craft industries, but their representation varies across sectors. Social enterprises have become a vital tool for empowering women, offering structured pathways from traditional craftsmanship to modern business practices.
Take Cooperative Good (CG), for example. Founded in 2018, it employs eight artisans who earn monthly salaries based on production levels during each season [11]. Brittany from CG explained:
"We saw that there was a gap, and we recognized their need for partners to expand their market sustainably" [11].
Another success story is Cooperative Kind (CK), established by Josie in 2011. CK employs 140 workers (118 women and 22 men) across three locations, paying salaries two and a half times the minimum wage, along with bonus opportunities [11]. Josie shared:
"Our vision at Cooperative Kind is to break the generational cycle of poverty through the transformation of a woman, and we know that this transformation comes from holistic empowerment, not just through job creation" [11].
Meanwhile, Social Enterprise Empower (SEE), launched in 2016, blends product sales with an entrepreneurship program. Participants receive wages, capital, and training to start their own businesses after completing the program [11]. As Cierra from SEE noted:
"Employment comes in as purely a means to enhance their lives" [11].
These models demonstrate how combining traditional skills with modern frameworks can uplift artisans and inspire broader change across the region.
Progress Indicators
Sub-Saharan Africa has made strides in advancing women's economic participation, emerging as the top reforming region in the 2023 Women, Business and the Law (WBL) index. Between October 2021 and October 2022, seven countries implemented reforms aimed at improving opportunities for women [16]. Notably, Côte d'Ivoire and Gabon became the first economies in the region to score over 90 on the WBL index [14].
Recent legislative changes highlight this progress:
- Uganda's 2022 Succession (Amendment) Act granted equal inheritance rights to men and women [14].
- Senegal removed restrictions, opening new industrial job opportunities for women [14].
- Malawi introduced paid paternity leave to encourage shared parental responsibilities [14].
- Benin and Côte d'Ivoire banned gender-based discrimination in banking and credit [14].
- Gabon enacted laws mandating equal pay for women [14].
Barriers to Equality
Despite these gains, significant challenges remain. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to over 62% of the world's extreme poor women [14], and only 60% of African women were literate in 2020, far below the global average of 88% [14]. These educational gaps ripple through the artisan economy, limiting opportunities.
Cultural norms continue to enforce traditional gender roles, often sidelining women from decision-making processes [14]. Colonial-era laws still restrict women's progress, and in small-scale mining communities, women's contributions are undervalued, leading to lower wages [13].
The numbers paint a stark picture: only 16.3% of firms in the region have a female top manager, and 23.6% of these firms cite access to finance as a major hurdle [15]. Women often lack collateral and formal education, making it harder to secure credit or entrepreneurial training [13].
Harmful stereotypes further restrict women's roles, particularly in leadership and specific crafts [13]. The maternal mortality rate in the region is alarmingly high at 536 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to the global average of 225. Additionally, 35% of partnered women have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner [14].
Addressing these systemic challenges requires more than economic solutions - it calls for a shift in societal norms to enable women to fully participate in the artisan economy and beyond.
4. South Asia
Regional Trends
South Asia stands out as a region where women play a pivotal role in the craft economy, making up over half of all artisans [17]. In India alone, 56.13% of artisans are women [19]. However, with 90% of the region's artisan work falling into the informal sector, women face a mix of opportunities and challenges. Many turn to craft-based work due to limited options shaped by cultural expectations and family responsibilities.
The impact of women artisans extends beyond their craft. Women reinvest around 90% of their earnings into their families, compared to just 35% by men [17]. Despite this, their income often remains low. Urban artisans typically earn between $3.40 and $4.50 daily, while rural artisans may earn as little as $0.89. To make matters worse, only 34% of artisans receive consistent wages [17][23].
Industry-Specific Representation
Women are deeply involved in traditional craft sectors, yet their contributions often go unnoticed. Neelam Chhiber highlights this disparity:
"Artisan output is underreported, as 30–50% of women's work remains unpaid."
Amid these challenges, some initiatives are making a difference. For example, the Commitment to Kashmir program, led by Inshada Bashir, employs 40 artisans - most of them women - and has successfully raised their daily earnings from ₹250 to ₹400, marking a 60% increase. Additionally, small operators in the textile and garment industries are joining forces to tap into export markets, while Indian fashion houses are helping revive traditional handicrafts for international audiences [18].
These efforts demonstrate that meaningful economic change is possible, even within a challenging landscape.
Progress Indicators
Several organizations are driving progress for women artisans. Nirupama Patra, a Cluster Head in Balipal, Odisha, began her journey with only two craftswomen and now leads a group of 115 artisans. Similarly, Buno Behen, an Indo-French social clothing brand, provides steady work for at least 30 women and commits 10% of its annual profits to supporting women’s empowerment [19][23]. Nirupama shares her aspirations:
"I want to have a home of my own someday and educate my two daughters the way my father educated me. I started with 2 craftswomen and today I manage 115 women artisans. I hope I can continue to strengthen and empower the many women who join my cluster in the same way Kadam empowered me by taking me under their wing."
These initiatives not only improve earnings but also shift household dynamics and enhance community well-being.
Barriers to Equality
Despite these advancements, women artisans in South Asia still face steep hurdles. Education is a major barrier, with 90% of Indian women artisans lacking formal schooling, which limits their access to better opportunities [17]. Patriarchal norms further restrict their mobility and decision-making [19]. In Pakistan, for instance, women take on ten times more unpaid domestic work than men, and only one in four women participates in the workforce [21][20].
Cultural constraints add another layer of difficulty. Karthik Vaidyanathan of Varnam points out:
"We've lost some fantastic artisans to marriage because once they get married, women don't continue. If their husbands tell them to work, they do. If they ask them not to work, they don't."
Social taboos, like caste discrimination, make it harder to build inclusive teams. Gender bias in traditionally male-dominated industries also limits opportunities for women [19]. In some areas, work outside household duties is viewed with suspicion. Combined with inadequate infrastructure and deeply ingrained social norms, these factors restrict women's access to resources and opportunities [18]. Women in the region currently enjoy only 45.9% of the legal rights available to men, and 84% have reported experiencing harassment in public spaces [22].
These barriers highlight the need for solutions that address both the economic and social aspects of inequality in South Asia’s artisan industries.
5. Europe
Regional Trends
Europe has made strides in increasing women's participation in cultural and craft sectors. As of 2023, the European Union reported 7.8 million cultural workers, with women representing 49.5% of this workforce - higher than their share in the overall economy, which stands at 46.4% [24]. This marks the narrowest gender gap ever recorded in cultural employment across the EU.
However, the situation varies greatly by country. Latvia leads the way, with 63.0% of cultural jobs held by women, followed by Luxembourg at 61.4% and Lithuania at 58.3%. On the other hand, Spain and Italy trail behind at 45.1% each, with Slovenia slightly ahead at 45.5% [24]. Northern and western EU nations generally report higher female participation rates compared to eastern and southern regions.
Growth in cultural employment has also been uneven. For instance, Estonia saw an 18.0% increase, while Greece experienced an 11.5% decline [24].
Industry-Specific Representation
While cultural employment figures are encouraging, traditional craft trades tell a different story. Self-employment is notably high in Europe’s cultural sector (31.7% compared to 13.8% in the overall economy), but women in traditional crafts remain underrepresented, making up just 11% as of 2012 [24] [25].
Occupational segregation further complicates the picture. Women are often concentrated in public relations and marketing roles, while technical and craft positions remain largely out of reach [28]. In France’s performing arts sector, for example, women account for 52% of students, but only 31% of practicing artists and a mere 18% of managerial roles [27].
Progress Indicators
Between 2013 and 2023, women’s employment in cultural sectors has steadily risen, with the exception of a dip in 2020 due to the pandemic [24]. A major policy milestone came in June 2022, when the EU adopted the "Women on Boards" Directive, requiring at least 40% representation of the under-represented gender in non-executive director roles by June 30, 2026 [26].
Some countries stand out in cultural employment. The Netherlands leads with 5.3% of total employment in cultural sectors, while Estonia and Luxembourg have shown notable year-over-year growth [24]. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, hindering the achievement of full gender equality.
Barriers to Equality
Even with progress, significant barriers remain. Women make up only 33.2% of self-employed individuals in Europe’s cultural sector and face a 45% pay gap [25]. On average, women earn 16.4% less per hour than men, and the gender gap in pensions is a staggering 39% [25].
The European Commission has highlighted the slow pace of change:
"There has been progress in most areas, but achieved at an uneven pace. At this rate of change, it will take almost 30 years to reach the EU's target of 75% of women in employment, over 70 years to make equal pay a reality, over 20 years to achieve parity in national parliaments (at least 40% of each gender), over 20 years to achieve gender balance on the boards of Europe's biggest companies and almost 40 years to ensure that housework is equally shared." [25]
Persistent gender stereotypes, limited access to resources, and the enduring glass ceiling continue to block women’s advancement [27] [28]. In the UK’s creative economy, for example, women hold just 35.8% of jobs, compared to 46.9% in the overall economy [28].
Recognition is another uphill battle. Between 1980 and now, only 4-12% of art awards in France have gone to women, and as of 2017, female artists’ work accounted for just 3-5% of major permanent collections in Europe and the United States [27]. These figures highlight the broader global disparities in artisan roles, emphasizing the urgent need for reform across the board.
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Women and the Arts and Crafts Movement: “What Can a Woman Do?”
Benefits and Drawbacks
The involvement of women in the craft industry varies significantly across different regions, creating a mix of opportunities and challenges. While some areas have seen progress through targeted economic programs and cooperative models, others still grapple with entrenched obstacles that restrict women's participation and success.
Economic Empowerment and Social Impact
When women artisans receive the right support, the benefits are both economic and social. Artisan cooperatives, for example, provide stable and dignified work opportunities that can uplift rural communities and contribute to developing economies. Beyond just creating jobs, these cooperatives empower women by giving them access to resources, training, and funding, enabling them to take charge of their lives and make decisions that benefit their communities [11].
Take the example of Cooperative Kind, established in 2011. This organization operates as a hybrid LLC and nonprofit, employing 140 people - 118 of whom are women - across three locations. Their wages are well above the minimum, offering a clear pathway to financial stability [11]. Similarly, Social Enterprise Empower, launched in 2016, blends a for-profit approach with nonprofit initiatives, equipping women artisans with the wages, skills, and capital needed to start their own businesses [11]. These examples highlight what’s possible when the right systems are in place, but such successes are far from universal.
Persistent Barriers Across Regions
Despite these encouraging examples, women in the craft industry face numerous barriers. One of the biggest challenges is economic viability. Competition from mass-produced goods often drives down prices, leaving women artisans with limited bargaining power and fewer market opportunities [29]. In Guatemala, for instance, about 71% of women are unemployed, and nearly 39% of the female workforce operates in the informal economy, where access to government benefits or Social Security is nonexistent [31].
Cultural norms also play a significant role in holding women back. In rural parts of Guatemala, for example, traditional gender roles often restrict women to household duties, discouraging them from pursuing income-generating activities. Many women report feeling societal pressure to stay at home, with limited access to skill-building opportunities outside their domestic responsibilities [30].
Market Access and Financial Challenges
Accessing markets is another major hurdle. In regions like Guatemala, geographic isolation makes it difficult for women to connect with potential buyers. This lack of access discourages women from seeking business credit or scaling their operations [30]. Financial barriers, such as limited access to capital and banking services, further compound these issues, making it harder for women to grow their artisan businesses [32].
On top of these economic challenges, climate-related pressures add another layer of difficulty. Worsening environmental conditions threaten traditional food security and strain livelihoods, forcing many women to make tough decisions about whether to migrate. These choices often carry significant social and economic consequences, both for the women themselves and for the communities they leave behind [30].
Health, Safety, and Working Conditions
The health and safety risks faced by women in the artisan sector are another pressing concern [32]. Formal labor protections can help improve these conditions, as women in formalized work arrangements tend to secure better pay and safer environments compared to those in informal settings [32]. Transitioning women from informal to formal employment is therefore a critical step in ensuring fair treatment and better working conditions.
Intellectual Property and Skills Preservation
Modern challenges like cultural appropriation and weak intellectual property protections also threaten the craft industry. These issues can devalue traditional crafts and harm the livelihoods of women artisans [29]. To tackle this, initiatives like a project launched by WIPO in Spain in March 2024 are making strides. This program has already trained over 30 women artisans in rural areas to protect and manage their intellectual property, helping them safeguard the value of their work [33].
In sum, the representation of women in craft is a story of both progress and persistent challenges. While cooperative models and targeted programs show the potential for transformation, deep-rooted structural, cultural, and environmental barriers continue to limit opportunities for women in many parts of the world.
Conclusion
The influence of women in craft industries is undeniable, showcasing a mix of progress and ongoing challenges. Their contributions are crucial - not only in preserving traditional crafts but also in driving local economies forward.
New initiatives and business models are paving the way for change. Social enterprises like Virtu Gems are creating opportunities for women artisans. As Susan Wheeler, Founder of Virtu Gems, highlights:
"We source gemstones that the mine is owned by a Zambian, an artisanal small-scale mine, cut by a Zambian, and it's being sold by a Zambian" [35].
Similarly, in rural India, programs have successfully linked women embroidery artisans to global e-commerce platforms. These initiatives provide fair wages, microloans, and cooperative systems that empower women to take charge of their work [37].
However, significant hurdles remain. Women in these industries are nearly twice as likely as men to cite salary constraints as a barrier, and balancing work with personal life remains a struggle for over half of them [36]. Cultural barriers and exclusion from decision-making processes further exacerbate these challenges, with nearly 30% of women feeling left out of key meetings compared to 20% of men [36].
The path forward calls for a multi-faceted approach. Gender-inclusive policies, transparent promotion systems, and mentorship programs are essential [36]. Advances in technology can help overcome physical barriers, enabling remote work and new opportunities. Formalizing artisan operations could also lead to access to higher-skilled roles [32].
Tackling systemic inequalities and deep-rooted cultural norms is critical. Empowering women through skill development, fair trade practices, better market access, and community support offers a solid framework for progress. Brands are increasingly recognizing the value of partnering with female artisan groups, contributing to a fairer and more sustainable industry [34].
Ultimately, meaningful change will rely on the commitment of governments, organizations, and consumers. Supporting female-led businesses and advocating for fair labor practices across the craft sector can dismantle structural barriers and help unlock the full potential of women artisans. This collective effort is key to shaping a more equitable future for the industry.
FAQs
What strategies can help women overcome barriers to leadership in the craft industry?
To support women in breaking through leadership barriers within the craft industry, creating an environment that champions diversity and actively addresses systemic challenges is critical. This involves a few key steps: offering mentorship programs, broadening networking opportunities, and establishing gender-inclusive policies to tackle workplace biases head-on.
Equally important is equipping women with leadership training that sharpens their negotiation and decision-making skills, empowering them to thrive in leadership roles. Strengthening professional networks and tackling societal norms that hinder progress are also vital in paving the way for a fairer and more balanced industry.
How do cultural and economic factors influence the role of women in the craft industry across different regions?
The Role of Cultural and Economic Factors in Women's Participation in the Craft Industry
Cultural and economic dynamics significantly influence women's involvement in the craft industry across the globe. In many places, societal norms and traditional roles encourage women to engage in artisan work. This not only offers a creative outlet but also provides a source of income. However, these same cultural expectations can sometimes act as barriers, limiting women’s chances to advance or take on leadership roles within the industry.
Economic conditions also play a major role. Access to resources like funding, tools, and markets often determines whether women can grow their craft businesses or receive fair pay for their efforts. In regions where such resources are scarce, women face greater challenges in scaling their work. Conversely, areas that actively support economic empowerment and gender equality often see women artisans thriving and achieving greater success.
The participation of women in the craft sector hinges on a combination of cultural acceptance and economic opportunities. To ensure equitable growth, ongoing efforts are needed to address these disparities and create pathways for women artisans to succeed on a global scale.
How do social enterprises and cooperatives support women artisans around the world?
Social enterprises and cooperatives have become vital in supporting women artisans worldwide. They provide economic opportunities, skill-building programs, and steady income, enabling women to achieve financial independence and enhance their quality of life. This empowerment also strengthens their ability to make decisions and improves their overall sense of agency.
Through community support and access to financial resources, these organizations pave the way for greater gender equality and long-term economic progress. They offer spaces for women to display their craftsmanship, connect with others, and expand their influence in meaningful ways.
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