ASMAA FATHI

Cairo- Handicraft, in all of its forms, is a broad sector shaped by women’s labor particularly in cities and towns far from Cairo, such as Sinai, Aswan, Halayeb, Siwa Oasis, Arish and many more. Al-Wahat, Al-Arish. Many women's organizations and initiatives have carried out many activities to promote women’s economic empowerment but one of them has launched a new initiative called, “A New World of Arts” to integrate women into the handicraft sector. One of the innovators in this sector is Rania Auf, the designer of jewelry and accessories.

NuJINHA spoke to a group of women who decided to change their lifestyle by making handicrafts.

We met Rania Auf who said that she signed a protocol with a number of museums six years ago to train certain groups of women with the aim of integrating them into society and promoting their economic empowerment. Stating that 22 volunteer trainers teaching 18 different crafts to women from all ages have worked for the initiative, she said that they use different materials to make handicrafts. Rania Auf is also the first to use the bamboo plant in order to design different women's jewelry in many shapes.

Rania Auf emphasized that the major problem that women may face in this sector is to market their products and high costs of raw materials.

She earns a living by making handicrafts

Lubna Abed Al-Aziz started her own business after realizing that the job market is overcrowded and there are no opportunities for new graduates. Now, she earns a living by making handicrafts and selling them.

Amal Zaki, a lawyer, entered the world of handicrafts out of a desire to develop new talents. She also mentioned that women in this sector face a number of challenges, including the fact that buyers prefer imported goods since they are less expensive than handicrafts.

She has made handicrafts since her childhood

Yusr Mustafa has been working in this sector since she was a child, and she thinks that making handicrafts is her lifelong dream that comes true. She hopes to prove herself in this sector and display her products at both local and international exhibits.

High costs of raw materials

Firdous Saeed had worked in other sectors before finding herself in the handicraft sector. Now, she has her own social media page and markets her products on her page. She has participated in many exhibitions and makes handicrafts for both the people around her and strangers. She also complained about the increasing costs of raw materials.

The love of Aya Reda for decorating motivated her to make handicrafts. She creates artworks by using henna. She is also good at designing all the accessories. She also complained about high prices of raw materials.