Women Empowerment through Beeralu Lace Industry in Southern Province

Abstract

Beeralu lace industry is a cottage industry introduced by Portuguese. This is a traditional industry inherent from Southern Sri Lanka. Due to lack of attention and less profitability, the moribund lace industry makes weavers poor. Hence, this research attempted to identify the potentials, challenges, and suggestions to empower women in the industry. A field survey was carried out in Weligama and Habaraduwa Divisional Secretariats and 40 samples were selected from each division according to simple random sampling technique. Pre tested questionnaire was administered to collect data. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistical tools. Over half of the sample (73%) sells their products through middlemen. Middlemen and South Asian Partnership Sri Lanka (SAPSRI) buy beeralu products throughout the year but at a lower income range. The main challenges that they are facing are seasonality, lower prices (mean value -1.1375), and less government intervention (mean value -0.2000). Although they have considerable profit, it doesn't value their effort and sweat. SAPSRI empowers women through various programs but the government provides raw materials only. Majority sells their properties or mortgage as a coping strategy. With all these, it is reasonable to say that the beeralu industry is a neglected industry. Since, the perception of women who are in the industry is positive there is a scope to develop. Further, the access to raw materials, access to social capital, and the positive attitude have been identified as potentials. In fact, it is important to empower these women by establishing marketing and training centers, introducing loan schemes, and conducting leadership and awareness programs.