Women of Keri Nawazabad: tailoring their children’s outfits and a sense of pride

Gul Nisa, 26, mother of three, came to the event wearing a new, bright pink shalwar kameez (traditional Pakistani outfit) that she made herself, and decorated with white and pink piping.

“I also made eight suits for my children,” she says proudly, while she adds the tiny outfits to the already colorful display of suits hanging from the walls.

For the last six weeks, these 20 women from Keri Nawazabad and adjacent hamlets Kallas and Lakhara participated in a stitching and cutting training organized as part of the CIDA-sponsored Project for Sustainable Livelihoods Recovery implemented by World Vision in the Siran Valley. World Vision donated fabrics.

The women worked under the guidance of local trainer Kishwar Bibi, who has 18 years experience in stitching and tailoring.

“It was a pleasure to teach these ladies. They were all so happy and eager to learn,” says Kishwar Bibi. “It was the first training they’ve been part of in their entire lives!”

The ladies will not only receive certificates affirming their mastery of the new skill, but also a brand new sewing machine

Today, during the closing ceremony, the ladies will not only receive the certificates affirming their mastery of the new skill, but also a brand new sewing machine.

A few of the ladies used to own a sewing machine, but the precious tools were destroyed during the October 2005 earthquake.

The replacement of their sewing machines was a farfetched dream for them, because its price (3,000 rupees, equivalent of US $50) is the monthly average income for a family of seven.

“The idea of women generating income for themselves and their families is new in this area,” explains Julie McKinlay, project liaison coordinator. “Their newly acquired skills will be used primarily at a household level to reduce expenses, indirectly creating more available income for the family.”

“Now I can make nice clothes for my family,” says Gul Nisa. “I hope to earn some money too, when I stitch clothes for other people.”

"Now I can make nice clothes for my family,” says Gul Nisa. “I hope to earn some money too, when I stitch clothes for other people"

The regular charge for stitching a shalwar kameez is 200 rupees (about US $3.3). The prospect of being able to provide even a modest income for their families is a great motivation for these ladies.

Mehar-un-Nisa Maskin, 35, is another one of the women involved in World Vision’s stitching training.

The oldest daughter in the family, Mehar-un-Nisa was still very young when she started to take care of her father and three siblings after her mother’s death. Poverty and hard work is all she has ever known.

Mehr-un-Nisa lives in a society where marriages are bonding alliances between families. A woman is expected to marry at an early age, and to bring with her an enticing dowry. Mehar-un-Nisa’s hopes to have her own family are dim.

I hope that every time they put on the new suit that they have made they feel a sense of pride and value in their accomplishment

“Nobody came to propose to me, because we are a very poor family,” admits Mehar-un-Nisa sadly.

She hopes that her newly acquired stitching skills will help her provide a better living for her family.

“I hope that every time they put on the new suit that they have made they feel a sense of pride and value in their accomplishment,” says McKinlay.