Rural women tailor designer wear and PPEs

In a remote Kerala town, Jatos Maria has been empowering rural women by training them in all aspects of industrial sewing, generating employment despite the pandemic

Jatos Maria started her business, Fab N Sew Garments, 10 years ago with a single sewing machine in Chully, a remote and hilly town near the picturesque Athirappilly waterfalls in Kerala. Back then, the 22-year -old had rented a house, recruited four women, boarded them and even cooked for them. Her first investment was her salary of ₹35,000. Today, with a turnover of ₹15 lakh and a production of 3,000 pieces a month, her workforce still remains all-women. Most of her staff comes from rural areas with little exposure to business, and is trained on the job by her. Empowering them is her biggest driving force, she says. “Before the pandemic, I had 45 women working with me, it’s now reduced to 20. I recruited them from the villages and convinced them that age is not a criteria to do or learn anything. I explained to them the importance of financial independence and earning for the family. The work gives them confidence. I am proud that 55-year-old Rani Cheriyan has been working with me since I started,” says Jatos.