Rationale of Handicraft on Women Employment in Rural Area: A case study on Jari workers of Bhagawangola-II Block, Murshidabad District, West Bengal

Handicrafts like Jari kari have emerged as a way of living for the people of remote areas. Bhagawangola-II Block of Murshidabad is one of the riverine hazard prone areas often expecting natural threat with the destructive velour of Padma river, worsening woos due to changing courses of the river leading to submergence and emergence of land. The chars (riverine islands) of the stated block experiences the turmoil of nature surviving there with minimal living, uncertain agriculture, poverty, poor communications and last but not the least with an unstructured economy. The women being the foremost agent to acclimatize for family has opted a dual role by not only arranging household works by earning back in home from jari kari. The present study was conducted over purposively selected char areas of Bhagawangola-II block of Murshidabad district intending to assess the socio-economic conditions of women associated with jari kari, evaluate its role, identify the factors forcing karigars to such activities and problems accustomed. Primary data was collected over randomly selected 75 female workers associated with jari kari using structured questionnaire. After analyzing the data with descriptive statistical tools it reveals that limited scope of employment and uncertain agricultural activities resulting from proneness to riverine hazard solely influence the involvement of local female into this activity. It aids in generating employment opportunities and thus raising empowerment of female folk successfully. Improper marketing facility is identified as foremost problem by respondent hampering jari kari activities deliberately in situ. Suggestions for advancement are recommended to aid for the twinkling activity that almost lies unattended in the study area.