Seasonal, Trending & Guides
International Women’s Day – Meet our Artisans
-Claire & Artisans at Trickledown, Sri Lanka (2024)
International Women’s Day (Sunday 8th March 2026) is a moment to celebrate women’s voices, achievements, and the shared movement toward greater fairness worldwide. At Paper High, we’re proud to work with incredible female artisans in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, whose skill, resilience, and talent sit at the heart of everything we do.
This blog shines a light on the women behind our Fair Trade products, the makers, creators, and leaders who shape each piece by hand. We choose to source from ethical producers who believe in fair pay, safe working conditions, and equal opportunity for women, because beautiful products should never come at the cost of unfair treatment.
To honour their stories, Claire, our founder, personally interviewed several of our artisans. Through these interviews, you’ll hear directly from the women themselves. Their stories and reflections on their craft reveal the real people behind the products you love, and remind us why ethical sourcing, Fair Trade values, and women-inclusive craftsmanship matter more than ever.
Rita – Artisan
Asha Handicrafts – Producer of our recycled cotton throws
What do you enjoy most about your work?
What I enjoy most is that my work makes me feel safe and respected. It helps me take care of my family, manage our daily needs, and think about the future with confidence, without worry or fear.
Can you share a moment in your work or life that made you feel proud as a woman?
One of the proudest moments of my life was when I could send my children back to school using my own earnings.
What does being a woman mean to you?
Being a woman means having the strength to support your family in difficult times and moving forward with hope.
Do you have any advice for young women starting out in your craft?
My advice to young women is to believe in yourself and your skills. Do not accept unfair treatment. Choose opportunities that respect your work, because when women get fair support, they can change their own lives and their children’s future.
Radha – Artisan (Finisher)
Get Paper Industries – Producer of our Lokta gift wrap
Is there a particular skill or craft you’re especially proud of?
Having the quick learning skill especially while doing new activities in my job.
What does being a woman mean to you?
Having the strength to face many challenges and ability to handle the challenges whether in my family or in my work.
What inspires you in your community the most and what is the biggest positive change you would like to see in the future?
I am inspired from women who are working hard to support their family.
Do you have any advice for young women starting out in your craft?
I advise to work hard and do their best in their activities so that they can understand their strength.
Sumana – Teacher
Anita Milan International Academy – Established by Get Paper Industries
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy to shape young minds and help students to realise their potential so that they grow academically and personally.
Can you share a moment in your work or life that made you feel proud as a woman?
When one of my students came back to thank me for encouraging and supporting their educational journey.
What inspires you in your community the most and what is the biggest positive change you would like to see in the future?
I am inspired by the resilience and creativity of women in my community. I would like to see increased access to educational resources for girls and women, enabling them to break the cycle of poverty and achieve their dreams.
Do you have any advice for young women starting out in your career?
I advise young women to stay curious and try to learn new things with passion.
Shrijana – Needle Sampling Worker
Hatale – Producers of our felt products
What do you enjoy most about your work?
As we are working with wool, watching loose wool slowly bind together in my hand with the help of needle is the best part and no use of machine, just skill, patience and touch.
Can you share a moment in your work or life that made you feel proud as a woman?
Despite living in a country where women are less priority, I feel very happy that I can provide nutritious food, quality of life, quality education to my children. I am self-dependent and living my prestigious life in Nepal.
Do you have any advice for young women starting out in your career?
Well, I have some following bullets as a suggestion which will surely inspire young lady in the future;
- Confidence
- Always learn the rules …so that we can question them
- Get comfortable
- Money and self-respect go together
- Build a community, not just a CV.
We want to express just how deeply grateful we are for every artisan who pours their skill, time, and heart into creating the beautiful products we’re honoured to share with you. Their dedication is woven into every stitch, every pattern and every handmade detail.
When you choose to support us, you’re not just purchasing something beautiful; you’re directly supporting the artisans and the communities who make these products possible. Your purchases help sustain long‑term employment, empower women, preserve traditional craftsmanship, and create opportunities that ripple far beyond the workshop.
Here are some meaningful insights into the artisans we work with:
Hatale – Based in the foothills of Kathmandu, their factory employs over 300 people, with more than 80% being women from nearby villages. Their work provides stable livelihoods and opportunities for women who might otherwise face limited options close to home.
Earthbound Creations – Deeply rooted in community support, Earthbound has helped improve the lives of over 250 families, playing an important role in reducing the need for women to migrate to larger towns for labour.
Association for Craft Producers – A remarkable non‑profit Fair Trade organisation founded in 1984, ACP continues to champion women in leadership. Their executive board is female‑led, with 73% female representation, reflecting their commitment to empowerment at every level.
Your support keeps these stories alive, your choices help strengthen these communities and together, we continue building a fairer world for the artisans who inspire us every day.