Women empowerment through weaving industry: a case study in Maruthamunai, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Women empowerment is an essential tool to bring about changes in their socio-economic condition. The weaving sector is very important for income generating to people of Maruthamunai. The purpose of this research is to analyze how this field will affect the empowerment of the women when they get involved in this sector and economic condition of female weavers. Qualitative research method adapting with primary data collection process such as Questionnaire survey, interview, observation methods were used, to explore information from 100 samples of women weavers such as women entrepreneurs and women laboures of Maruthamunai. Cluster sampling method was used. Secondary data also were collected from Divisional Secretariat Office Kalmunai, related books and websites. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel through graphs, charts and diagrams according to descriptive manner. The findings show that, the women weavers of Maruthamunai are growing at accelerate rate and empower through their work and women are strengthening themselves economically through weaving industry. At the same time they face some problems related to it such as lack financial, marketing problem, opportunities and health problem are the barriers of women weavers in this area. It can be concluded that, women weavers are very significance in the study area and remedies should be taken by government or non-government organizations.