Life in the hills isn’t easy—but pahadi women have always found ways to make it work.
High rates of alcoholism and unemployment among men mean that women often shoulder the responsibility of supporting their families, with limited access to stable income opportunities.
When Himalayan Haat started out, our aim was to contribute in a small way to women empowerment in Uttarakhand by creating meaningful work and sustainable livelihoods. But over time, something else took shape—something we hadn’t planned for: a strong sense of community and belonging.
Most of the women say their favourite part of coming to work is stepping away from the tensions of home, even if only for a few hours. Others speak of the friendships they’ve built here.
We have matriarchs and silent sufferers; women quietly getting by, and others who are fiercely ambitious. Each one learning from the other. This has become a space where women can share what they wish to, knowing there will always be an empathetic ear. Advice, encouragement, songs and jokes flow freely.
The atmosphere turns joyful when there’s a wedding or a new baby at home. Pakodis and puris in paper potlis inevitably make their way in, enjoyed with chai the next morning. And when tragedy strikes, as it has many times, the mood shifts. We sit together, and we mourn together.
This sense of community extends well beyond the farm.
These are women who have marched to the tehsil together to demand the closure of a nearby liquor shop, and who have gathered outside Neetu’s* home in the middle of the night to support her through an abusive situation.
Community is powerful. And it is something we all need.
All Himalayan Haat products are handmade by this incredible group of village women from Uttarakhand. What began with a handful of women from a nearby village has grown into a wider network across three villages, spanning different ages and experiences.
It is exciting to think how much more this community will grow - and how many more women we can support in building stronger, more independent lives.
