Citation :

Manya Rajgarhia, "Eco Friendly Art for Socioeconomic Empowerment: A Qualitative Study of Women Artisans and Eco-Friendly Micro-Enterprises in Peri-Urban Karnataka," International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 92-100, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V13I4P110

Abstract

Though they possess extensive traditional craft skills, the cost of transactions to the larger markets is a higher constraint for rural women artisans, and this impacts their income generation and financial security. As digital technologies and online commerce have become increasingly widespread, online marketplaces are seen as a potential way of increasing market scope and enhancing economic outcomes. This study emphasises women artisans of peri-urban areas who are engaged in producing eco-friendly handicrafts like water-hyacinth-based crafts, and how this can be supplemented by digital entrepreneurship as a source of income. While some past work has focused on women’s entrepreneurship or digital commerce, few works have looked at the role of digital marketplaces as an empowering tool for rural eco-artisans producing sustainable products. Qualitative phenomenological research was used, drawing on primary and secondary data; semi-structured interviews with rural women artisans were used to collect data. The results show that artisans are highly dependent on the training organisation for marketing and selling their products, and that the absence of digital awareness and agency also hinders them from selling their products themselves. The study underscores the need for training of women artisans and institutional support to improve their digital skills so that they can play an active role in the digital economy. This study contributes to the existing literature on sustainable rural development by demonstrating the positive impact of training on women’s economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. The findings show that there is room for improvement in supporting rural women entrepreneurs in the long run, through investment in digital literacy programmes, capacity building, and specific policy measures.

Keywords

Artisans, Digital Literacy, Handicraft, Karnataka, Water Hyacinth, Women Empowerment.

References

1. Svend Brinkmann, and Steinar Kvale, InterViews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing, 3^rd ed., Sage Publications, pp. 1-424, 2014.
   [Publisher Link]
2. Norman K. Denzin, and Yvonna S. Lincoln, The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research, 5^th ed., SAGE, 2011.
   [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
3. Uwe Flick, An Introduction to Qualitative Research, 7^th ed., SAGE, 2014.
   [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
4. Peeps Gonde, Londiwe Nkiwane, and Lindani Ncube, “Information and Communication Technologies: Enhancing Women Entrepreneurship and Productivity in the Textile Cottage Industry,” Zimbabwe Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 148-156, 2020.
   [Google Scholar]
5. Emmanuel Honlah et al., “The Effects of Water Hyacinth Invasion on Smallholder Farming along River Tano and Tano Lagoon, Ghana,” Cogent Food and Agriculture, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1-13, 2019.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
6. Mishab Ibrahim, and Jaya Kritika Ojha, “Leveraging Digital Spaces for Rural Women Artisans and Handicraft Enterprises in the Desert of Rajasthan, India,” Journal of Heritage Management, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 140-149, 2024.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
7. Velan Kunjuraman, Rosazman Hussin, and Roslizawati Che Aziz, “Community-based Ecotourism as a Social Transformation Tool for Rural Community: A Victory or a Quagmire?,” Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, vol. 39, 2022.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
8. J.M. Mironga, J.M. Mathooko, and S.M. Onywere, “The Effect of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Infestation on Phytoplankton Productivity in Lake Naivasha and the Status of Control,” Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, vol. 5, no. 10, pp. 1252-1260, 2011.
   [Google Scholar]
9. Sanat Kumar Purkait, Rural Development & Women Empowerment: Role of Cottage Industries, Education & Policies, The Observer, vol. 53, pp. 55-60, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358815648_Rural_Development_Women_Empowerment_Role_of_Cottage_Industries_Education_Policies
10. Salkynbayeva Fatima Davitbaevna, and Esturlieva Aigul Iklasovna, “The Impact of Electronic Commerce on Small Business,” Yessenov Science Journal, vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 234-241, 2024.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
11. Najma Sharif, “Developing Sustainable Livelihoods: The Case of Poor Female Youth in Sub-Sahara Africa,” Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-24, 2000.
    [Google Scholar]
12. Vijay Paul Sharma, “India's Agricultural Development under the New Economic Regime: Policy Perspective and Strategy for the 12^th Five Year Plan,” Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, pp. 1-49, 2011.
    [Google Scholar]
13. Neha Singh et al., “Empowering Women Artisans in Madhubani Painting: Navigating Digital Challenges for Long-Term Viability,” Vision: The Journal of Business Perspective, 2024.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
14. Nisha Srivastava, and Ravi Srivastava, “Women, Work, and Employment Outcomes in Rural India,” Economic and Political Weekly, vol. 45, no. 28, pp. 49-63, 2010.
    [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
15. Teresa C.H. Tao, and Geoffrey Wall, “Tourism as a Sustainable Livelihood Strategy,” Tourism Management, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 90-98, 2009.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
16. Shripama Thounaojam, and Jaya Kritika Ojha, “Exploring the Digital Spaces of Women Artisans in Kashida Crafts: Case Stories from Thar Desert of Western Rajasthan,” Journal of Asian and African Studies, vol. 61, no. 2, pp. 1140-1155, 2026.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
17. Initiative for What Works to Advance Gender Equality, Trend in Female Labour Force Participation in Karnataka, IWWAGE, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://iwwage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IWWAGE-Factsheet-Karnataka-1.pdf
18. Uma Shankar Yadav et al., “Digital and Innovative Entrepreneurship in the Indian Handicraft Sector after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities,” Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1-40, 2023.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]