Mata Traders invests in women who are better able to take care of their families because they have financial independence.  The women are fantastic embroiderers, seamstresses and collaborators.

Mata Traders works with sewing, embroidery and jewelry making cooperatives in India and Nepal.  The economic opportunities provided to the women through Fair Trade is a rare thing in India as social mobility is very difficult.  One young woman started working at a co-op a few years ago and now can afford to send her younger siblings to school and start a college course herself.

To work with organizations that educate, employ, and empower women. Spending time with these groups has helped us realize that even the most traditional women, when given the opportunity, thrive in a sphere of meaningful work that is outside their homes and families. We have also learned that equality in the workplace IS possible in a country as socially stratified as India.”