Putting icts in the hands of the women of kanpur and the chikan embroidery workers of lucknow1

Abstract

Kanpur and Lucknow are two of India’s most populous districts and have always enjoyed historical prominence. These urban districts, however, are located in one of the most socially and economically backward states— Uttar Pradesh. The population density in Kanpur–Lucknow puts pressure on the area’s almost nonexistent civic amenities and infrastructure, and the poorest and most underdeveloped areas have high crime rates. Adverse sex ratios and low literacy rates among women also contribute to gender-discriminatory practices such as sex-selective abortions and lack of access to education for women. Table 1 presents district-level demographic data for Kanpur Urban, Kanpur Rural, and Lucknow. Distinctive of these districts is chikankari, or chikan work, a traditional art that is still an integral part of life and an income source for local families. It oourished under the patronage of the 18th and 17th century rulers of Awadh province, who made serious efforts to cultivate the arts and the—at that time, primarily male—artisans. The skill was passed from generation to generation and eventually, as better opportunities in formal sectors arose for men, to women as a source of subsidiary earning for the family. Today, however, the informal chikan embroidery industry is oversaturated, and as the women workers face declining returns, it is increasingly important for them to increase their technical aptitude so they can seek employment in more formal sectors. But major cultural barriers and constraints, lack of employment opportunities, and health risks such as viral epidemics make it especially difacult for the women of central Uttar Pradesh to access resources that will allow them to enhance their skills and increase their livelihoods. Therefore, the Datamation Foundation and InfoDev designed a multidimensional, multistakeholder information and communications technology (ICT) for development project, “Putting ICTs in the Hands of Women