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Last updated: 17 june, 2010 - 12:34 GMT

Embroidery transforming lives

Embroidery Gallery

  • Hansiba
    The woman behind the brand, 94-year-old Hansiba
  • Women with embroidered clothes
    Women wearing examples of the embroidery work
  • Rug with very detailed embroidery work
    A hanging piece made with typically detailed embroidery work
  • Share holders
    Some of the many members of the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA)
  • While the women earn the money, men of the community take care of domestic duties
    While the women earn money, the men of the community take care of domestic duties

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Ninety-four year-old Hansiba's embroidery has transformed the lives of her co-workers in Gujarat, India.

Twenty years ago, Hansiba's embroidery skills inspired the setting up of SEWA, the click Self Employed Women's Association which named its clothing brand after her.

The association became an unlikely success story for women struggling to survive in remote villages, as their work found an international market.

Thousands of lives have been transformed and Hansiba herself has appeared on the catwalk to model the clothes.

Nivedita Pathak reports from Gujarat for Outlook.

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