Cobbler Women Empowering themselves through a Social Enterprise: Case of Toehold Artisans' Collaborative

Abstract

 Purpose: The paper examines the role of enterprises in empowering women from oppressed communities. It analyses the efforts taken to develop individual and collective-level assets and capabilities. It further proposes a conceptual framework explaining the empowerment process. 

Design / Methodology / Approach: A critical and representative case of a social enterprise was selected for the study. The social enterprise worked with the oppressed community of cobblers in the state of Karnataka in India. The analysis focuses on resource aggregation and allocation, removal of production and transaction constraints, achievements, and mechanisms established to sustain empowerment. Secondary sources such as case studies, news articles, journal articles, inspiring stories, and official websites are used for the analysis.  

Findings: Support from significant organisations, skill enhancement, remunerative market access, steady income, continuous handholding, limited role for men, developing ability to choose, and the creation of a countervailing force are factors contributing to the empowerment of women from an oppressed community.

Research Limitations: Individuals from oppressed communities are involved in a range of production- and service-related activities. The paper focuses on a success story from the cobbler community.   

Originality Value: The paper describes the empowerment process of women from a socially and economically oppressed community in India. It highlights the role of a social enterprise in transforming an oppressed community into an enterprising one.