A STUDY OF THE WOMEN WORKFORCE IN A WEAVING VILLAGE OF ASSAM

The handloom weaving sector has been one of the most traditional cottage industries and has been the mainstay of rural industrialisation in India and one of the largest industries where women workers depend heavily for livelihood both in rural and urban areas. This handloom weaving still continues alongside the most modern textile machinery in India. The present paper is an attempt to study the gender perspective focussing on the social and economic life of the women weavers working in the age-old weaving sector of Sualkuchi which is in the Kamrup district of Assam. The study also analyses the problems that deprive women workers involved in the weaving industry of Sualkuchi. A sample of 100 women weavers- both independent weavers and those working for master weavers and owners of loom were selected for the study through purposive sampling and the respondents were administered by interview schedule. Throughout a long period of the handloom industry, women working force has been crucial in sustaining this traditional industrial sector through centuries. There is a need to understand the current scenario of this weaving and manufacturing industry and its impact on women?s wage, employment opportunities and development.