Association for Behavior and Knowledge Transformation (ABKT)

ABKT & Hunerkada

Craftswomen of Malakand region will have direct access to the national market in Islamabad and cut through middlemen for greater income. The project "Shop for a Cause" branded as "Shinkhalai" is the initiative of 'Association for Behaviour& Knowledge Transformation (ABKT)', a women-led organization from Swat-Malakand region promoting the political and economic empowerment of women.

ABKT and Hunerkada, the arts and crafts institution of Islamabad, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 14 at Islamabad to make this project a success.

The MoU was signed by Ms. Shad Begum, recipient of the International Woman of Courage Award for her outstanding contributions to women empowerment, on behalf of ABKT. Mr. Jamal Shah, a well known figure of arts and crafts signed it on behalf of Hunerkada.

Hunerkada will provide technical assistance to ABKT for assessing market trends and fashion design of the products by women from Swat-Malakand region. The outlet, “Shop for a Cause” will be formally launched during June 2014.

On this occasion Mrs. Shad Begum in her speech said that “economic empowerment of the women from nationwide especially the under developed areas like Malakand division will ensure their access to social justice, elimination of poverty and protection of their basic rights by empowering them economically. Promotion of the women artisans’ work is the prime need but in today’s fast and dynamic trends, the products of the women artisans are lacking the required standard to compete in the market. “Shop for a Cause – Shinkhalai” is a program which adds value to the craft of the rural women artisans from Swat-Malakand region.

Briefing the participants on the occasion of the ceremony Mr. Jamal Shah added, “this struggle is for the uplift of the artisans and Shinkhalai will not only promote the work and products of the local artisans but will add to the richness and diversity of Pakistani culture. Through Shinkhalai we are trying to bring equality and make sure to eliminate class differences in the society.”