Gendering Economy: Women Artisans in Srinagar’s Unorganised Handicraft Sector

Based on a qualitative method, this study narrates the condition and status of women workers engaged in the unorganized handicraft sector in Srinagar. The city, considered Kashmir’s economic hub and business capital, is known for handicrafts and tourism. In this study, 20 women involved in the Kashmiri handicrafts sector were interviewed face to face. The study recruited participants using purposive and snowball sampling methods. After a thorough review of the collected data, it was thematically interpreted. A descriptive phenomenology analysis of the dataset identified three themes: (i) role of conflict in the region, (ii) urge for economic independence, and (iii) social prejudice. This study argues that even though the work environment in the unorganized sector is exploitative and oppressive for women, there is an element of liberation for women in the social sphere.