handiCRAFTS

The production of crafts, primarily textiles, represents a fundamental source of income in most indigenous communities in the Gran Chaco. Despite its significance in the family economy, it has historically been overlooked as a productive sector with limited investments in technological innovation and market development, leading to the establishment of informal, low-income circuits. On the other hand, there is a growing demand both nationally and internationally for sustainable products with social impact that recognize the cultural value of these productions. Additionally, through the organization of crafts, indigenous and peasant women in the Gran Chaco step out of the domestic sphere and participate in spaces where they exchange experiences, receive training, and learn to value their knowledge, thus boosting their self-esteem. In this way, they achieve economic autonomy by implementing a sustainable and respectful activity in harmony with the environment. The formation of these associative spaces through the development of craft activities also propels the political participation of women in decision-making spaces.