Mon Ami Foundation - Blogs #womenMon Ami Foundation - Blogs #womenhttps://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/tag/womenWed, 08 Apr 2026 16:46:49 +0530http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[AI and Women’s Day: From Speed to Equality]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/ai-and-women-s-day-from-speed-to-equalityOn Women’s Day, Mon Ami Foundation reframes AI as a tool for equity, empowering women with knowledge, financial fluency, and partnerships to drive sustainable growth and global progress.]]>
International Women's Day

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and everyday life—automating tasks, accelerating decisions, and reshaping opportunities. Yet, most applications remain focused on efficiency. At Mon Ami Foundation, we believe Women’s Day is the perfect moment to reframe AI as more than a tool for speed. It must become a lever for equity, sustainability, and collaboration.

 

Breaking Information Asymmetry

(SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth)

Women have historically faced barriers due to limited access to information and decision-making tools. AI can dismantle these barriers by democratizing access to knowledge in finance, healthcare, nutrition, and education.

  • The Impact: When women are equipped with AI-driven decision support systems, they can participate more fully in economic activity.
  • The Result: A direct advancement of SDG 8, fostering decent work and economic growth for all.

 

Financial Empowerment as a Catalyst

(SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production)

We know that when women gain access to funds and financial decision-making, they uplift entire families and communities. AI-powered financial literacy tools can amplify this impact by:

  • Simplifying investments and decoding complex loan terms.
  • Forecasting household budgets with precision.
  • Guiding sustainable choices in consumption and production.

By directing resources toward responsible use, AI contributes to SDG 12, ensuring a healthier planet and more resilient local economies.

 

Moving Beyond Literacy to AI Fluency

(SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals)

The social sector has long focused on financial literacy for women. The next frontier is AI fluency—equipping women to use intelligent systems that provide real-time, personalized guidance.

"Whether it’s nutrition apps suggesting affordable, healthy meals or finance dashboards highlighting savings opportunities, these tools can transform women’s agency."

Achieving this requires deep collaboration across governments, social enterprises, and technology innovators. This synergy is the heart of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

 

Women’s Day Call to Action

On this Women’s Day, let’s reframe AI as a tool for equity, sustainability, and collaboration. By ensuring women have equal access to AI-driven decision support systems, we don't just accelerate gender equality—we accelerate global progress.

 

 

]]>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:03:36 +0530<![CDATA[Internships in Social Organizations: Building Empathy and Perspective]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/internships-in-social-organizations-building-empathy-and-perspectiveInternships in social organizations nurture empathy, cultural sensitivity, and problem‑solving in students while offering enterprises youthful innovation, bridging gaps, and strengthening artisan communities through sustainable, impactful collaboration.]]>
Internships in Social Organizations

Internships are often seen as stepping stones into corporate careers, but their role in social organizations is equally vital. College students should be encouraged to spend at least 4–6 weeks interning with social enterprises. This experience not only broadens their understanding of the sector but also nurtures empathy—an essential quality for future leaders.

For students, such internships provide exposure to grassroots realities. They learn how social enterprises tackle challenges like sustainability, livelihood creation, and community empowerment. Unlike classroom lessons, these experiences are immersive, teaching adaptability, problem‑solving, and cultural sensitivity. Students return with a deeper appreciation of social impact and a stronger sense of responsibility toward society.

For the enterprises, the benefits are equally significant. Many social organizations operate with limited resources and cannot afford to hire young graduates full‑time. Interns bring fresh perspectives, digital skills, and innovative ideas that help bridge generational and demographic gaps. Their energy and curiosity often spark creative solutions, while their presence strengthens the organization’s connection to younger audiences.

At CraftsAQ, we have been actively encouraging such internships. By connecting students with artisans supported by the Mon Ami Foundation, we create opportunities for them to witness firsthand the resilience, creativity, and individuality of craft communities. This exposure not only enriches students’ learning but also deepens their empathy for artisans whose livelihoods depend on sustainable growth and fair opportunities. It is a powerful way to blend youthful innovation with traditional wisdom.

Educational institutions play a pivotal role in making this connection possible. By integrating social internships into academic programs, colleges can encourage students to step outside conventional career paths. When universities champion these initiatives, they create a culture where social responsibility is valued alongside academic excellence.

In essence, internships in social organizations foster a symbiotic relationship—students gain empathy and practical insights, while enterprises benefit from youthful innovation.

]]>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:27:24 +0530<![CDATA[Why Should All the Turtles Look the Same?]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/why-should-all-the-turtles-look-the-sameWhy Should All the Turtles Look the Same? In our CraftHub, this question sparks endless debate:  why should all the turtles look the same?  As ]]>
Turtle
Why Should All the Turtles Look the Same?

In our CraftHub, this question sparks endless debate: why should all the turtles look the same? As we build capacity and train artisans to produce multiple units of the same product, we aim for a remarkable 95% likeness across dozens of pieces. It’s a demanding standard, especially when multiple artisans are racing against deadlines. Even when the design criteria are met, subtle differences emerge—tiny variations in curve, finish, or detail.


Our buyers, though supportive of artisan work, often come from a background of purchasing bulk, machine-made imports from neighbouring countries. They are accustomed to absolute uniformity: rows of identical products, each indistinguishable from the next. Against that backdrop, our handcrafted pieces sometimes feel “different.” And so begins the delightful conversation: why should they all look the same?


Machines excel at replication. They erase individuality in favour of efficiency. But handmade products carry the imprint of the human hand—the rhythm of the artisan’s skill, the nuance of their touch, the story of their craft. Each piece is not just an object; it is a signature. When we pause from machine-made perfection, we discover beauty in individuality. The slight differences are not flaws; they are proof of authenticity.


Uniformity has its place in mass production. But in artisan work, sameness risks stripping away the very soul of the craft. Buyers who embrace individuality are not just purchasing a product; they are investing in heritage, creativity, and human connection. Each turtle, while similar, carries its own personality. And isn’t that worth celebrating?


So, the next time someone asks why all the turtles don’t look the same, perhaps the better question is: why would we want them to?

]]>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:59:02 +0530<![CDATA[Insights into Handmade Craft Buyers – Research by IIM Raipur MBA Students]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/insights-into-handmade-craft-buyers–research-by-iim-raipur-mba-studentsIIM Raipur research with Mon Ami Foundation shows handmade craft buyers value artisan stories, authenticity, and sustainability. Trusted spaces, fair pricing, and personal connection drive purchases.]]>
Artisan

Handmade crafts have always carried a sense of heritage, but recent research conducted by IIM Raipur MBA students in collaboration with Mon Ami Foundation reveals how modern buyers are redefining authenticity and connection.
1. The Story Matters Most
Across age groups, respondents consistently highlighted the story of the artisan and the cultural heritage behind a piece as the first thing they look for. Buyers don’t just want a product—they want to know who made it, where it comes from, and how it ties into tradition. This emotional connection is seen as adding “immense value.”
Read more about our artisan stories at www.monamifoundation.com
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2. Preferred Crafts
Terracotta pottery, wooden carvings, and traditional paintings like Madhubani or Pattachitra emerged as the most loved categories. Interestingly, younger buyers leaned toward eco‑friendly materials and sustainability, while older respondents emphasized heritage and uniqueness.
3. Shopping Habits
Local melas and exhibitions remain the most trusted spaces for buying authentic crafts. Government emporiums also hold credibility, especially for those worried about fake or mass‑produced items. Social media platforms like Instagram are gaining traction among younger audiences who prefer direct access to artisans.
4. Budgets and Barriers
Most buyers spend between ₹1,000–₹3,000 on special pieces, though some are willing to go beyond ₹7,000 for truly unique items. The biggest turn‑off? Doubts about authenticity. High shipping costs and poor website design also discourage online purchases.
5. Building Connection
Respondents suggested handwritten notes, artisan videos, behind‑the‑scenes glimpses, and certifications as ways to strengthen trust. Many emphasized that showcasing the artisan’s livelihood and community impact makes the purchase feel more meaningful.
This research highlights that the future of handmade crafts lies in blending tradition with transparency. Buyers want authenticity validated, stories told, and artisans celebrated. For small brands, this means going beyond selling products—crafting experiences that connect heritage with modern expectations.

These insights are basis the research done by IIM Raipur MBA students in collaboration with our team. To support the Artisans and to buy authentic handmade products, do visit www.crafstaq.com

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]]>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:38:13 +0530<![CDATA[Paris Ethical Fashion]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/project-ektara-womenaes-skill-development-project

Project Ektara- Womens skill development project

A craft revival project, generating income for marginalised income groups, mostly women in the NCR region. The project provides remunerative work to semi- skilled women. The women craft crochet toys from their homes with the material provided. The toys are made in safe materials that are designed to enhance motor skills, cognitive skills in infants and young children. The project began with a small group of women in Nizamuddin Basti. Hope foundation has a livelihood project and as a part of that women were being imparted training in stitching, embroidery and other craft related activities. They were keen to connect to a new market where their skills of crochet and knitting could be used.


Crocheted and knitting as a craft has been known to women across North India.Crocheted products seen in the market have very limited marketability and have slowly been dwindling.

We began developing toys as handcrafted toys with an Indian identity really dont exist. Traditional toys that have been seen in the market are mostly wooden toys. With the influx of Chinese toys with a lot of plastic we found that there was a huge gap that existed in the Indian market. We mostly wanted to created safe toys that would be ideal for young children. Safe cotton was used, the dyes were carefully done to ensure that the end product that comes out can be easily be used by infants and toddlers. As the product development took place and a small set of products were test marketed we realised the need to expand the production base as well as the designs.


Each design, each product was carefully researched, and tested on young infants before it went to production. Childrens reactions were taken as essentail feedback to better each product.

The project soon became larger with more women joining in. A so called winter skill where women only had work during the winter season to knit sweaters now had work though the year.

At all points of time a fine balance had to be maintained between women who had learnt to mould the toys and to sustain them and to ensure continuous sales. The materials were always provided to them to ensure safety and quality.

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