Project
Economic and Social Development with a Gender Perspective through Textile Art
This pioneering project in Yucatán demonstrates the power of culture and gender perspective in generating a positive and lasting impact on the economic and social development of communities. With funding and collaboration from the Banorte Foundation and the participation of agencies from the Government of Yucatán, we provide tools to more than 350 embroiderers from 26 localities across 12 municipalities to strengthen the initiatives they are already undertaking to improve their quality of life.
Results
- We increased their business management and business models’ development capabilities to improve their income and competitiveness.
- We strengthened their capacities and support networks around intangible cultural heritage to revitalize and safeguard their techniques, knowledge, and creations, as well as to prevent their work from undervaluation and plagiarism.
- We promoted dignified attitudes and respectful behaviours toward women by men within their families, production chains, and in the implementation of public policies in the areas where they live and work.
+350 WOMEN ARTISANS
participated in more than 70 workshop sessions.
+150 SAFEGUARDING ACTIONS
developed by embroiderers representing their communities and incorporated into the state Safeguarding Plan.
+100 MEN
participated in 13 workshop sessions on masculinities.
Thank you for bringing activities to each municipality so that their groups, collectives, and families can move forward, have a better life, and pass on this knowledge to new generations.
Dynamic Data and graphics
Find more information on actions, key actors, the relationship between embroidery and community ceremonies and life cycles, the identified stitches and their characteristics related to the transmission of embroidery.
Background
In 2023, a diagnosis on textile heritage and embroidery in southeastern Mexico exposed the importance of strengthening initiatives in Yucatán and addressing the gender inequalities faced by embroiderers.
Textile art serves as a crucial element of identity and cohesion for multiple communities, notably in Yucatán, where women play the primary role. However, they still need strategies and tools to enhance their efforts to improve their quality of life, ensure fair treatment of their work to prevent undervaluation or plagiarism, preserve their ancestral techniques and knowledge intricately linked to community practices, and address persistent gender inequalities that could hinder their development potential.
Revealed and addressed disparities
An analysis of operations, expenses, and income from artisanal work and sales in the business and finance model workshops up to September 2023 revealed that the overall average profit is only 4%. However, there is a significant disparity among municipalities, with profits from 17.3% to 23.5%, while others reported losses from 34.3% to 75.3%. The work to empower artisans and their collectives for more effective planning, equitable distribution, and fairer competitive conditions is essential.
I learned to value my work, express it and convey to others the value that all embroideries hold... Giving significance to everything that we are and can become
Key Areas of Strengthening
- Learning about textile art as an expression of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) so that artisans recognize the significance of embroidery in the culture and identity of their communities.
- Identifying and documenting stitches and products in the region and among groups, including their technical processes, production organization, and market integration.
- Identifying the financial needs of families, collectives, and communities involved in entrepreneurship to enhance their knowledge and tools for effective financial planning.
- Strengthening the connection between textile art and the socioeconomic circumstances of communities, artisans, and their families through training in local business models and financial education for decision-making.
- Assessing and fortifying the business viability of collectives and economic groups to create sustainable business models and establish optimal and equitable competitive conditions.
- Encouraging changes in men from the communities where women artisans work, so they recognize women as essential pillars of social, economic, and cultural development and understand the importance of supporting rather than hindering their entrepreneurial development.
- Identifying men associated with artisans, both in family and affective relationships, as well as decision-makers involved in textile art activities, to identify and address their main gender biases and stigmas and formulate strategies to foster changes in male mindsets through workshops.
- Developing guidelines that outline action plans for transforming male mindsets. In initial workshops, for instance, men have committed to participating in household chores, motivating women to achieve their goals, and respecting their work.
I had heard of UNESCO, but now I understand its significance. It imparts valuable insights into our traditions, the importance of investing our time, and how to add value to our work. Its support is crucial to us, so we can continue learning every day.
