When you empower one woman, you empower an entire community.

OUR JOURNEY

Since day one, we have put our workers first, striving for ethical fashion that generates a sustainable income for our female workers and their families.

In 2015, Madhu Vaishnav founded Saheli Women through her nonprofit, IPHD, after she attended a wedding in the rural Rajasthani village of Bhikamkor. There, Madhu was first introduced to the women of Bhikamkor. Inspired by their strength, resilience and ability to support their families with little means, Madhu enrolled in University to educate herself further on sustainable development and community development initiatives.

Initially, Madhu facilitated humanitarian workshops in the village, but the women struggled to apply their learnings without jobs or financial control. Once she realised that each woman owned a sewing machine as part of her marriage dowry, Madhu identified a unique opportunity to leverage these existing skills and resources to empower the women. She began offering skills development training and livelihood opportunities.

Breaking cultural norms while maintaining family values.

Throughout our journey we have faced many challenges, particularly those rooted in cultural norms. This began after five brave, dedicated women completed our first skills development training and began work with us outside their homes — a notable cultural shift.

Thanks to both these women and their trusting families and husbands who believed in them, the cultural situation is improving. Now, Saheli women have earned and maintained a respected position within these communities, so much so that Madhu has been approached numerous times to build studios in villages elsewhere. At first, the women were in disbelief earning 3,000 rupees per month. Then, as we began to partner with more brands their salaries steadily grew. Seven years later and the women are earning 12,000-17,000 rupees per month, setting a powerful example for the rest of the community.

We are empowering and employing more women with every stage of our growth.

Our first Saheli Women studio began in the rural village of Bhikamkor with just five women and a budget of $100 USD. Those humble beginnings still influence the way we work today, with the goal to impact as many lives as possible. Our team has proudly grown to include over one hundred artisans working within their local community to create garments for international fashion labels.

With a dedicated team and the support of our loyal partners, we were able to construct and open a second atelier in the village of Kali Beri in 2022. This has provided an ideal space to expand our skills training programs in eco-print, block print, and natural dye, and to offer a sustainable solution to poverty and hunger.

We are so proud of what we have accomplished. Here are a few of our major highlights.

  • Our founder, Madhu Vaishnav, is an Advisory Committee member for the UN Conscious Fashion & Lifestyle Network.

  • Madhu spoke at the first Annual Meeting of the United Nations Conscious Fashion & Lifestyle's Fashion Impact Fund in NYC.

  • After noticing some of our ladies were struggling to see details in their work, we ran a one-day opticians clinic and provided over 80% with free glasses.

  • We completed the FCRA registration process and now accept foreign funding donations.

  • We have grown our team of artisans to 100+ women through our Skills Development Programme.

  • We are now able to offer maternity leave to our artisans.

  • We developed relationships with ikat, silk, and cotton artisan communities.

  • We trained our Bhikamkor artisans in Handloom Weaving.

  • We created sustainably-made garments with our international fashion partners.