The apparel industry, as a majority female employer, has the power to break down barriers that prevent women from entering the formal workforce. That’s the message being broadcast by NAUMD Network Member Kariwala Industries. Founded in 1989, Kariwala Industries Ltd. initially started as an enterprise focused on exporting quality workwear while prioritizing customer satisfaction.
Over the years, Kariwala has evolved into a diversified portfolio of products and services, which include manufacturing Industrial workwear, corporate identity clothing and uniforms, personal protective clothing, eco-friendly bags, and sustainable fashion accessories.
But the business is much more than its portfolio. Kariwala strongly believes in the fundamentals of community engagement, ethical business practices, and environmentally responsible operations. Their ultimate goal is to make a positive impact in the world. So it is not a surprise to learn that Kariwala Industries is committed to closing the skill gap and providing more opportunities for women to enter the workforce. TKariwala has trained over 5,000 women, with 90% of them being employed by the company, and collaborates with other outsourcing industry peers to provide employment opportunities for the trainees.
Kariwala’s Skill Development team of over 50 people brings several advantages to the skilling ecosystem in the industry. The training curriculum is updated to cater to industry and business requirements, and trainees receive soft-skills, IT, and English training in addition to technical training. Kariwala provides a stepping stone for economic advancement by offering employment opportunities to women who have never used a sewing machine and training them within 60 days.
The company recognizes that there are other challenges women face in the society, therefore, is continuously developing new programs and policies to ensure women can continue to work and thrive in the workplace. Kariwala aims to scale up its skilling operations to train 15,000 more women in the next two years.
Kariwala’s efforts have been recognized by the UN Global Compact, and Anil Kariwala has been awarded the “Leadership Commitment and Action-Asia Pacific-UN SDG 5 Gender Equality Category.” The company sees the apparel industry as a vehicle for change to increase employment opportunities for millions of women and is working towards the overall welfare and empowerment of women, both in the household and at the workplace
Learn more about their products, services and efforts to improve the world by visiting https://www.kariwala.com/
