




































American Economic & Social Review; Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018  

ISSN 2576-1269   E-ISSN 2576-1277 

Impact Factor: 3.9 

                                            Published by Centre for Research on Islamic Banking & Finance and Business, USA 

 

 

1 

 

Involvement of Women in Handloom Segment: An Empirical Study 

With Reference To Krishna   District, Andhra Pradesh 

 
 

D.Srinivasa Rao
1
, N.Sreedhar

2
 & B. Ravi Kumar

3 

 

1
Research Scholar - Dept. of Economics, Rayalaseema University, Kurnool,India. 

2
Dept. of Economics, Rayalaseema    University, Kurnool, AP. India 

3
Dept. of MBA, Amrita Sai Institute of Science and Technology,India. 

 

Correspondence: B. Ravi Kumar, Dept. of MBA, Amrita Sai Institute of Science and Technology,India. 

 

To cite this article: Rao, D., Sreedhar, N., & Kumar, B. R. (2018). Involvement of Women in Handloom Segment: 

An Empirical Study With Reference To Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh. American Economic & Social Review, 

3(1), 1-11. Retrieved from http://www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aesr/article/view/137 

 

Received: June 19, 2018                   Accepted: June 30, 2018                Online Published: August 25, 2018          

        

 

Abstract 

The handloom is a traditional craft work of India and it provides employment opportunities to lakhs of people in the 

rural and urban areas of our country. In the world   women constitutes approximately 50% of the total population but 

society is still male dominated one.  In India women contributed substantially to the economic growth of the 

country.The relationship between gender and the economy has considerable importance in Indian society. In general 

attitude of the people women are second grade citizens and they are makers of food, pickles, papads, masalas etc,. 

But their role is very important in every economic activity, either it is household work or cultivation or industry or 

service sector etc,. Like the other sectors the role of women weavers is very much important in handloom sector. 

Handloom sector is unique in India. The handloom   weaving is household profession, followed by generations. In 

these households, women play an important role. Handloom sector is the only manufacturing sector in which women 

producing for women.  

 

Keywords: Women Weavers, Participation of Work, Handloom Sector, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh  

   

Introduction 

Handloom sector in India is growing and has been undergoing many changes within its structure that affect its main 

features. Handloom weaving   plays an important   role in the growth process of the state as well as the country. This 

sector has been considered prominent because of the traditional artisan craft skills of the weavers which meet the 

local needs and demands.Irrespective of gender the Handloom sector has self sustaining mechanism.There is a 

sufficient flexibility for all types of communities to take up handloom production as a profession. In modern times 

the handloom sector has different strengths. It is simple, and is associated with appropriate technology. Women as a 

whole in the world wide suffer from secondary status .In India also they are in lower most hierarchy.The 

discrimination of women is related to her socio-economic status but differs from region to region ,in rural and urban 

areas. 



www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aesr                 American Economic & Social Review                Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018 

2 

 

The Handloom Sector is one of the largest unorganized economic activities after agriculture and constitutes an 

integral part of the rural and semi rural livelihood. Handloom weaving constitutes one of the richest and most 

vibrant aspects of the Indian cultural heritage. The sector has an advantage of being less capital intensive, minimal 

use of power, eco-friendly, and flexibility of small production, openness to innovations and adaptability to market 

requirements. It is a natural productive asset and tradition at cottage level, which has sustained and grown by 

transfer of skill from one generation to other. 

Handloom weaving is largely decentralized and the weavers are mainly from the vulnerable and weaker sections of 

the society, who weave for their household needs and also contribute to the production in the textile sector. The 

weavers of this industry are keeping alive the traditional craft of different States. 

The level of artistry and intricacy achieved in the handloom fabrics is unparalleled and certain weaves/designs are 

still beyond the scope of modern machines. Handloom sector can meet every need ranging from the exquisite 

fabrics, which takes months to weave, to popular items of mass production for daily use. 

As per 3rd Handlooms Census, carried out in 2009-10, more than 43 lakh people are engaged in weaving and allied 

activities which were 65.5 lakh as per 2nd handloom census conducted during 1995-96. Out of the 38.47 lakh adult 

weavers and allied workers in the country, 77% are women and 23% male weavers, 10% of the weavers are from 

scheduled castes (SCs), 18% of the weavers are from scheduled tribes (STs), 45% are from other backward classes 

(OBCs) and 27% are from other castes. 

Objectives of the study 

The main purpose of the study is to examine the work participation of women handloom weavers in Krishna district. 

 The objectives of the study are 

 1) To study the work participation of the women in handloom sector in Krishna district. 

 2) To study the socio-economic conditions of women handloom weavers in Krishna district.  

3) To estimate the improvement in the socio-economic status of women handloom weavers by using government 

schemes. 

 4) To study the problems and prospects of handloom industry in Krishna district. 

Period of the Study 

The study mainly examines the work participation of women weavers in handloom sector in Krishna district from 

2006 to 2016 i.e. 10 years period. 

Collection of Data  

The study is based on primary data and secondary data. We have collected primary data from 70 respondents by 

using a structured questionnaire and through personal interview method. The secondary data was collected from 

books, periodic journals, articles related to the present research.  

Primary Data 

The main source of the data is from the handloom weavers who are working under societies or independent weavers. 

For primary data collection 70 women weavers were selected. A structured questionnaire is used for the survey 

which contain simple, multiple choice questions. For primary data collection the observation method, personal 

interview method and group discussion method are used. 

Secondary Data 

Secondary data has been collected from published and unpublished reports by the government, departments and 

societies of the handloom sector and also from books, periodic journals and various websites related to present 

research study and handloom census of Ministry of Textiles ,Government of India. 

Sampling Techniques            

Simple random sampling was used in present research. Women handloom weavers is the sample and Krishna district 

is the population.  

Area of the Study 

This study was limited to women handloom weavers of seven mandals in Krishna district. The weavers spread 

throughout the district. Majority of weavers reside in Guduru, Pedana ,Ghantasala , Bandar ,Challapalli ,Movva and 

Gannavaram mandals. 

Sample Size .There are 58 primary handloom weavers co-operative societies existed in Krishna district with 

membership of 7,047 weaver artisans and 4,865 weavers are outside the co-operative fold. That is 11,912 handloom 

weavers in Krishna District. Among them 7,085 weavers are women weavers. A sample of 70 weavers are randomly 

selected from Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. 

Analysis and Interpretation of Data 

The data is collected from 70 sample respondents. A structured questionnaire was given to the respondents to collect 

primary data. The data is analyzed by using the tables on the basis of age, sex, marital status, literacy, size of the 

family, working hours , income per month and health ground. 



www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aesr                 American Economic & Social Review                Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018 

3 

 

Table – 1   Age wise Classification of women weavers  

Sl. No Age group No. of respondents percentage 

1 Up to 20 yrs 08 11.43 

2 20 – 40 yrs 35 50.00 

3 40 – 60 yrs 21 30.00 

4 Above 60 years 06 08.57 

 Total 

 

70 100 

Source: primary data 

According to the above table majority of women weaver respondents (50.0%) belong to the age group between 20 

and 40 years. Only 6 members are above the age of 60 years with 8.57% 

 

 
Table – 2   Type of work 

Sl. No Nature of work No. of respondents Percentage 

1 weaving 14 20.00 

2 Bobbin winding 18 25.71 

3 Warping 17 24.29 

4 Dyeing 16 22.86 

5 Others 05 07.14 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

According to the data the participation of women weaver respondents is same in all work areas but less in weaving 

area. 

 

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

WEAVING BOBBIN 
WINDING

WRAPPING DYEING OTHERS

NO. OF RESPONDENTS

%

Column1

 



www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aesr                 American Economic & Social Review                Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018 

4 

 

 

Table – 3            Community wise Classification of women weavers  

Sl. No Community No. of respondents percentage 

1 BC 55 78.57 

2 SC 07 10 

3 ST 00 00 

4 Others 08 11.43 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

 

 

55

7

0
8

community distribution

backward caste

schedule caste

scheduled tribe

others

 
According to the data 55 weaver respondents out of 70 belong to backward community with 78.57%, 11.43% are 

belong to other communities,10% respondents belong to scheduled caste and none of the respondents are belong to 

scheduled tribe. 

 

Table – 4            Religion wise Classification of women weavers  

Sl. No Religion No. of respondents percentage 

1 Hindu 57 81.43 

2 Muslim 07 10.0 

3 Christian 06 8.57 

4 Others 00 00 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

hindu muslim christian others

no. of respondents

%

Column1

 



www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aesr                 American Economic & Social Review                Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018 

5 

 

According to the study majority of the women respondents (81.43%) belong to Hindu religion, 10% respondents 

belong to Muslim and the rest belong to Christian religion. 

Table –5 Classifications of women weavers on the basis of marital status 

Sl. No Marital status No. of respondents percentage 

1 Married 61 87.14 

2 Un married 01 01.43 

3 Widow 07 10.0 

4 Divorcee 01 01.43 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

61

1
7

1

MARITAL STATUS

married

un married

widowed

divorced

 
According to the data majority of the women respondents 61 out of 70 (87.14%) are married and 10% are widowed. 

Unmarried and divorced are 1% of total respondents. 

 

Table – 6   Classification of women weavers on literacy level 

Sl. no Literacy level No. of respondents Percentage 

1 Illiterates 21 30.00 

2 1 – 5 class 18 25.71 

3 6 – 10 class 24 34.29 

4 10 + 2 class 07 10.00 

5 Graduation 00 00 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

      

0
10
20
30
40

NO. OF RESPONDENTS

%

Column1

 
According to the data 30% of women respondents are illiterates. 25.71% completed their primary education and 

34.29% completed secondary education. Only 10% are studied up to inter level and none of them are at graduation 

level. 

 

 



www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aesr                 American Economic & Social Review                Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018 

6 

 

 

 

Table – 7     Type of family 

Sl. No Type of family No. of respondents Percentage 

1 Nuclear 45 64.29 

2 Joint 25 35.71 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

According to the data majority of the respondents (64.29%) are under nuclear families and 35.71% are under joint 

families. 

 

45

25

0 0

TYPE OF FAMILY

NUCLEAR FAMILY

JOINT FAMILY

 
 

Table – 8      Size of family 

Sl. no Size of family No. of respondents Percentage 

1 Small (up to 3) 15 21.43 

2 Medium(4 – 6) 35 50.00 

3 Large(above 6) 20 28.57 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

According to the data 50% of the women weaver respondents have medium size of family which consists of 4 to 6 

members. Very less (21.43%) number of respondents consisting up to 3 members   which is very small family. 

     

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

UPTO 3 MEDIUM(4-6) LARGE(ABOVE 
6)

NO. OF RESPONDENTS

%

Column1

 
 

Table-9.Residential status 

Sl.No House No. of respondents Percentage 

1 Own 60 85.71 

2 Rent 10 14.29 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 



www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aesr                 American Economic & Social Review                Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018 

7 

 

According to the data majority of the respondents (85.71%) have own houses and 14.29% of the respondents are 

living in rented houses.   

 

60

10

0 0

RESIDENTIAL STATUS

OWN

RENT

 
 

Table-10. Type of house  

Sl.no Type of house  No. of respondents percentage 

1 Thatched 39 55.71 

2 Tiled 14 20.0 

3 R.C.C 07 10.00 

4 Sheds 10 14.29 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

According to the data majority of the respondents (55.71%) are dwelling in thatched houses. A few respondents 

(10.0%) are dwelling in R.C.C houses. 

 

0

20

40

60

THAVHED TILED R.C.C SHEDS

NO. OF RESPONDENTS

%

Column1

 
 

Table-11.Selection of job 

Sl. no Preference No. of respondents Percentage 

1 Inheritance 52 74.29 

2 Job opportunities 10 14.28 

3 Interest 08 11.43 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

According to the data majority of the women weaver respondents (74.29%) are choosing the occupation by 

inheritance. Only 11.43% of the respondents prefer the occupation by their interest. 

 

 

 



www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aesr                 American Economic & Social Review                Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018 

8 

 

 

52

10

8

0

SELECTION OF JOB

INHERITANCE

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

INTEREST

 
 

Table-12.Category of weavers 

Sl. no Category No. of respondents Percentage 

1 Independent weavers 04 5.71 

2 Working under master weaver 28 40.0 

3 Working under Co-operative 

weavers 

38 54.29 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

According to the data majority of the respondents (54.29%) are working under co-operative societies. 40% of the 

respondents are working under master weavers. Only 5.71% of the respondents are independent weavers.  

 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

independent 
weaver

working under 
master weaver

working under 
co-operative 

weavers

no. of respondents

%

Column1

 
 

Table-13.  Working hours per day 

Sl. no Working hours No. of respondents Percentage 

1 Up to 8 hrs 63 90.00 

2 8 – 12 hrs 07 10.00 

3 Above 12 hrs 00 00 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

According to the data majority of the respondents (90%) are working up to 8 hours per day and only 10% of the 

weavers are working 8-12 hours per day. 

 

 

 



www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aesr                 American Economic & Social Review                Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018 

9 

 

 

 

63

7

0 0

working hours per day

up to 8 hours

8-12 hours

above 12 hours

 
 

Table-14. Wage levels 

Sl. no Average income per day No. of respondents Percentage 

1 Rs. 100 – 200 40 57.14 

2 Rs. 201 -300 26 37.15 

3 Above Rs. 300 04 05.71 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

According to the data majority of the respondents (57.14%) are earning in between Rs. 100 to 200 per day. Only 

5.71% of the respondents income is Rs.300 above. 

 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Rs. 100-200 Rs.201-300 above Rs.300

no. of respondents

%

Column1

 
 

Table – 15  Health problems   

Sl.no Health problems No. of respondents percentage 

1 Eye sight  / cataract 23 32.86 

2 Back pain 30 42.86 

3 Knee pain  /  joint pain 13 18.57 

4 Problem of lungs 04 05.71 

 Total 70 100 

Source: primary data 

 

According to the data majority of the respondents (42.86%) are suffering form backpain followed by 32.86% 

respondents suffering from eye sight /cataract. 

18.57% of the respondents are suffering from joint pains and knee pains and only 5.71% of the respondents 

suffering from the problem of lungs. 



www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aesr                 American Economic & Social Review                Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018 

10 

 

 

23

30

13

4

HEALTH PROBLEMS

eye sight/cataract

back pain

knee pain/joint pain

problem of lungs

 
Findings 

According to the information collected from the respondents there are some major findings. They are: 

1.Majority of women weaver respondents (50.0%) belong to the age group between 20 and 40 years 

2. The participation of women weaver respondents is same in all work areas but less in weaving area. 

3. 55 weaver respondents out of 70 belong to backward community with 78.57%,  

4. Majority of the women respondents (81.43%) belong to Hindu religion 

5. Majority of the women respondents 61 out of 70 (87.14%) are married  

6 It is observed that  30% of women respondents are illiterates.  

7. Majority of the respondents (64.29%) are under nuclear families and 35.71% are under joint families. 

8. 50% of the women weaver respondents have medium size of family which consists of 4 to 6 members.  

9. Majority of the respondents (85.71%) have own houses and 14.29% of the respondents are living in rented 

houses. 

10. Majority of the respondents (55.71%) are dwelling in thatched houses. A few respondents (10.0%) are dwelling 

in R.C.C houses. 

11. Majority of the women weaver respondents (74.29%) are choosing the occupation by inheritance 

12. Majority of the respondents (54.29%) are working under co-operative societies.. Only 5.71% of the respondents 

are independent weavers.  

13. Majority of the respondents (90%) are working up to 8 hours per day and only 10% of the weavers are working 

8-12 hours per day. 

14. Majority of the respondents (57.14%) are earning in between Rs. 100 to 200 per day. Only 5.71% of the 

respondents income is Rs.300 above. 

15. Majority of the respondents (42.86%) are suffering form backpain followed by 32.86% respondents suffering 

from eye sight /cataract. 18.57% of the respondents are suffering from joint pains and knee pains and only 5.71% of 

the respondents suffering from the problem of lungs. 

Summary & Conclusion 

The central and state government should take some steps at different levels. To overcome the problems of women 

weavers, easy credit and cheep credit should be provided to women weavers through the banks, other financial 

institutions and government. Handloom weaving plays an active role in the growth process of the state as well as the 

nation. This sector has been considered prominent because of the traditional artisan craft skills of the weavers which 

meet the local needs and demands. Handloom sector has different strengths in the modern economy. It is simple, and 

is associated with appropriate technology. The world, which is seeking for clean air and water, handlooms are well 

suited because they are eco-friendly in nature. Handloom sector has self sustaining mechanism, training for 

irrespective of gender. The inheritance of skills and capacities is beyond the realm and reach of any modern training 

and educational institution. There is a sufficient flexibility for all types of communities to take up handloom 

weaving as a profession. 

References 

Srinivasachari P.(1965),The Handloom Industry, Khadi and Village Industries Commission Publication, pp.1-12. 

The Handloom and Women, Khadi Gramodyog, Vol.7,No.2,pp.76-78. Hussain M.I., (1975), 

Parikh, Indira,(1991), “Women Weavers”, Oxford and IBH Publishing Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta. 

Narashimhan, Sakuntala (1999) : “Empowerment of Women : An Alternative Strategy for Rural India,” Saga 

Publication India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.      



www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/aesr                 American Economic & Social Review                Vol. 3, No. 1; 2018 

11 

 

Reddy, Narasimha, (2006), Women Handloom Weavers, Facing the burnt, Gender and Trade Policy, Centre for 

Handloom Information and Policy, pp. 1-7. 

Ashalata P, Acharya.M.,(2009) ”Changing Families and Life Style of Women weavers From Co-Operative Society 

at Manipur”,Shodh. Samiskshaa Mulyankan( International Research Journal)- ISSN – 0974-2832 Vol.II, 

Issue-7. 

Female Work Participation Rates in India, An Analysis, Rao D.P.(Eds)Status of Women in Education, Employment 

and Social Exclusion, Serials Publications, New Delhi,pp.141-159. (2011)  

Women in Handloom Industry: Problems and Prospects, B. Premsundar & J.Kannan, Journal of Economic and 

Business Review, December 2013 www.epratrust.com Vol - 1 Issue- 1 p.32-38. 

Women in Handloom Industry: Problems and Prospects, B. Premsundar & J.Kannan, Journal of Economic and 

Business Review, December 2013 www.epratrust.com Vol - 1 Issue- 1 p.32-38 

Tasneem Shazli, and prof. Abdul Munir, Female work participation in Handloom industry- A case study of 

Mubarakpur town, Azangarh District, U.P. Journal of education and society policy. 1: (2014). 

 

 

 

Copyrights 

Copyright for this article is retained by the author(s), with first publication rights granted to the journal. 

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 

license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 

 

 

 


