The Vibrant Carpenters of Manipur
Whenever we think of word carpentry the picture which
immediately comes in mind is of a male dominated industry but what a beauty of
the fact that women in Manipur are equally participating with their male
counterparts to make furniture with equal ease and expertise. About 32 km from
Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, the women in Kairembikok village of
Thuobal district are taking up carpentry profession and breaking all kinds of stereotypes.
The village is having a population of 1500 people and 80% of village women are
working as carpenters here.
The courageous starting
Being a tough job, carpentry has always been forbidden for
women. This chance was brought about by a kind and courageous person - Kangjam
Inaboi, who runs a furniture unit in the village. He tells that ever since when he started his
furniture business she observed that there were a lot of unemployed women in
the village. They were having no options for employment excluding the time of
paddy harvest in fields. They were unable to support their family financially
even when they wished.
The story started from a lady called Ahomsangbaam Radhamani
who stepped out to Kangjam and ask for job in the factory. She started working
with her carpenter husband in the factory. Within a week, 5-6 more women joined
the factory and in today's scenario 80% of women are working in in this
furniture unit. Hats off to the first step
taken by Radhamani as this was the desired action taken to initiate
women employment in the village.
The positive Change
The women here are generally working in two shifts either
between 7 to 10 am or 11 to 5 pm after getting freed from household work. The
village is retaining its identity as unemployment hub as no one in the village
is unemployed and due to working of both husband and wife, income has also
doubled .A woman carpenter is earning 8000 to 10000 rupees per month raising
the family income to about 20000 to 25000 per month.
Although many women have not got formal education but this
work has filled them with a sense of pride and dignity. They also are able to
pay their debts which they have taken from self-help group of village. Due to
increase in income, they are now able to give better up bringing to their
children. Every child of the village is now going to school and the village is
totally addiction and drug free. They have admitted their children to boarding
schools however previously it was impossible for them to admit their children
in private schools.
Kangjam tells that these women have never thought that this
profession is a man dominated profession. Sometimes the finishing touch given
by them is even better than their male counterparts. It shows an inspiring
picture of women empowerment in the small village of Manipur. An excellent
example of willpower and determination shown by these women.
