SELANGAU: Rural women have been encouraged to turn traditional craft skills into sustainable sources of income with entrepreneurship training and greater access to markets.
The call was highlighted during the three-day Craft Entrepreneur Development Programme held at Rh Rose Nana Ak Angat, JKKK Dato Penghulu Imban, Sekuau Scheme, from Aug 21.
The programme, organised by Raben Beads with support from the Malaysia MADANI agenda and Sarawak Craft Council (SCC), brought together rural craft practitioners for an engagement session and practical loom beading workshop.
In a statement issued by Raben Beads on Saturday (Aug 29), SCC board member Lucille Awen Jon stressed the significant role played by women in the community.
“In Sarawak, and in many indigenous communities, women are not merely entrepreneurs. They are custodians of knowledge, transmitters of heritage, managers of families and, at the same time, breadwinners,” she said.
She said craft production should no longer be viewed merely as a side activity as it had the potential to become a main source of income for families and communities.
The programme began with an engagement session on Aug 21, aimed at holding direct discussions with grassroots craft practitioners.
Its main objectives were to gather views from the target groups, identify issues and challenges faced by the craft industry, provide clear information on the direction of the new programme, and foster closer understanding between government agencies and the local community.
This was followed by a Loom Beading Techniques Workshop on Aug 22-23, involving 22 registered participants from Rh Rose Nana and six additional participants from SIDS Sekuau Branch.
The participants received hands-on training from Raben Beads founder and trainer Danielle Lipang, covering loom beading techniques as well as practical aspects of running a craft business.
These included finishing techniques, basic cost calculations and product photography for marketing purposes.
Participants were also encouraged to register as craft members under SCC to gain access to advanced training and opportunities to participate in domestic and international expos.
The programme is the third edition of the initiative, following previous programmes in Kampung Long Seridan, Ulu Tutoh, Baram and Uma Juman Edaberan, Sungai Koyan Asap, Belaga.
The next programme is scheduled to be held at Kampung Kuala Medalam, Nanga Medamit, Limbang, while a Digital Training Session will take place on Sept 19.
