Artisans

Basha

Basha is a young Fairtrade organisation in Dhaka and Mymensing, Bangladesh. Its aim is to support underprivileged women in finding dignified employment. Basha's vision is to continue to grow as long as there are women in the country in need of a proper job. At present around fifty women are employed with Basha.

Basha provides training to women who wish to further develop their skills. Upon completion the women can start in Basha’s workshop. They are given a fair salary and work normal hours in a safe and healthy work environment.

Women working with Basha

Besides receiving a salary, the women share in Basha’s profits and follow courses on saving. Basha provides its employees with health insurance and councelling. Children are cared for in day nursery while their mothers are at work. The elder children receive funding to attend school.

Through this particular way of supporting women Basha also tries to break a vicious cycle.  By enabling these mothers’ children to break away from exploitation.

The women at Basha make beautiful silk and cotton kantha scarves. Kantha is the most popular form of traditional craftmanship among Bengali people. Women use vintage saris and choose contrasting fabrics to create their one-of-a-kind pieces.

Every scarf is unique and authentic, made by hand and easily recognisable because of its splendid colours and, typical kantha, small patches and straight, even stitches.

View the scarves made by the women of Basha.

Artisans at work

Creating a kantha silk scarf

[Credits photos: Basha]