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Printing an emotion and feeling into each garment is not enough if you don't have the right tools to showcase those creations to the world. This is precisely what a UN project in Chiapas, a state in southern Mexico bordering Guatemala, has achieved.
In Chiapas, 102 women artisans have gained access to modern markets and strengthened the local economy thanks to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project "Boosting Resilience of Chiapas Artisans - Digital X" aims to improve the economic independence of Indigenous women in the region by promoting textile production and the marketing of their handicrafts.
Ksenia Alexandrova, the project leader, explained: “Our goal is to enhance the entrepreneurial and digital skills of the artisans. This is an initiative from the UNDP's digital office, which issues an annual call for proposals. We submitted our project, secured funding, and that’s why all these initiatives focus on digital processes.”
Women and girls worldwide remain underrepresented in technology, and in Mexico, 59.2% of women do not use computers, laptops, or tablets, a problem that is exacerbated in rural areas, where 77.7% of women lack access to these devices.
The National Institute for Women (INMUJERES) indicates that the gap in internet usage is particularly wide among older generations and in rural areas, where connectivity is limited. Additionally, 69.5% of the Indigenous population, representing 8.4 million people, lives in poverty, and 84.3% of Indigenous women find themselves in the same situation.
Chiapas is one of the states with the lowest access to the internet, mobile phones, and computers. Only 40% of internet users are in rural areas, and 87.5% of Indigenous municipalities in the state are highly marginalized.
The project "Boosting Resilience of Artisans in Chiapas - Digital X" was made possible through the "Digital X" call launched by the UNDP Digital Office and funded by the Government of Japan. This program aims to bring innovative digital solutions to UNDP offices worldwide.
With support from the British digital trade company Akojo Market, the project received $50,000 in funding. This amount was allocated to two main components: the production of handicrafts and their sale on Akojo Market's e-commerce platform, as well as training in socio-emotional, business, and digital skills.
María Isabel Ara Pale, from the municipality of Huixtán, Chiapas, is one of the program's beneficiaries. For her, the support received has been crucial for her personal development and that of her community. “Before, my life was about working in the fields and at home. Thanks to KIPTIK, we were able to sell our garments, something I previously only did for personal use.”
During the production phase, 42 women created over 150 handcrafted products that were marketed internationally online. According to UNDP data, the average income for each artisan woman during the training process was $129, a significant change compared to the previous income of 30% of women, who earned less than $28 a month, and 40% who had no recorded sales.
In total, 102 artisans participated in six workshops offered by UNDP in Mexico in collaboration with the local design company KIPTIK. The workshops included training in socio-emotional skills, European design trends, cutting and sewing, cooperativism, costs, and digital strategies.
Ksenia Alexandrova detailed the workshops: “The first focused on socio-emotional skills, then European design trends, followed by cutting and sewing, cooperativism, costs, and finally digital strategies for selling through social media.”
The second phase of the project addressed social economy models and effective collaboration with clients, providing tools to establish strong relationships and promote community cooperation.
María Isabel commented on the benefits of the workshops: “We learned to resolve conflicts, work as a team, and establish new techniques. These workshops have been fundamental in improving our skills and increasing our sales.”
Finally, the project also focused on marketing strategies and essential business skills, such as defining fair prices and safely using digital technologies for sales.
This project has not only empowered 102 women technically, digitally, and economically but has also fostered collaboration and income opportunities for artisans in Chiapas, contributing to the strengthening of the local economy.
María Isabel expressed her satisfaction: “I would like customers to appreciate our work and effort; each garment carries an emotion and sentimental value. I am happy to see our work recognized and appreciated by brands and people around the world.”
According to the National Employment Survey, in Mexico, during the fourth quarter of 2023, male artisans represented 73.1% of the employed population, while women accounted for 26.9%. Male artisans have an average salary of 7,500 pesos, while women earn an average of 1,500 pesos. Such programs are crucial in helping women establish a stable economy in their communities.
Source: United Nations
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