A New Beginning for Rural Women
REWA is a story of hands that create, women who continue, and communities that grow when craft is respected.
How REWA began
REWA – A New Beginning, also known as Rural Entrepreneur Women Agency, is a producer organization of rural women promoted by ICSW-HP. It was formed in August 2013 to support rural women artisans who were already making beautiful traditional handmade products, but needed a stronger platform to reach buyers.
In many villages, women carry deep practical knowledge of handwork. They crochet, stitch, weave, make woolen items, prepare decorative pieces, create festive diyas, and transform simple local materials into useful products. Their work often begins inside homes, between family responsibilities, seasons, and daily life. REWA gives this work a shared identity and a route to market.
More than products
For REWA, a handmade product is not just an item. It is time, patience, learning, tradition and dignity. Every sale helps a woman feel that her skill has value. It allows her to contribute to household income, build confidence, and stand with pride as an artisan and entrepreneur.
The organization helps women showcase products through local fairs, stalls, exhibitions, markets and direct enquiries. It encourages collective strength, where women are not alone with their craft, but part of a producer organization that supports visibility and livelihood.
Why this matters
Traditional handmade work can slowly disappear when it does not find buyers. REWA helps preserve these skills by connecting them with modern needs: gifting, home décor, seasonal collections, clothing, accessories and event stalls. When people buy from REWA, they support a rural woman’s effort and help keep a handmade tradition alive.