Hadithi Crafts is a women led group that concerns itself in closing the gender labour gap in rural Kenya by providing income opportunities for women through traditional basket weaving and beadwork and eco-friendly resources that help conserve their environment.
Problems and Purpose
The Hadithi Crafts is a female collective based in the region of Tsavo, Kenya and was founded in 2014 to serve the purpose of empowering craftswomen and their skills in producing high quality sustainable baskets (Hadithi, 2024). It primarily began from 24 women groups and overtime grew into 64 groups of 1902 craftwomens, where women earn their income and sustain their families through their craft as the region is known to be the most economically marginalised counties in Kenya, and as well included in their mission environment and wildlife conservation.
Gender disparities in employment opportunities is an issue in Kenya and is more so prevalent amongst women who face unemployment, under-employment and poverty (Sang, 2020). Several reasons for this gap involve job creation and poverty reduction policies within the governmental sector being slow and the social or cultural barriers inhibiting female participation in the labour force (Sang, 2020). Hence, the efforts of the Hadithi group provide artisans from rural communities in Tsavo to secure sustainable income through basket weaving and as a result generates greater economic independence for themselves and gender equality in the market.
Background History and Context
Kyondo (Cinodo in plural) refers to hand woven baskets made primarily in central and eastern Kenya and an important cultural craft amongst Kenyans (Wanduara, 2018). It is sourced from natural materials found within local region’s plant fibers, such as the sisal. This plant is characterized to have a hardy structure with great sustainable value as it is biodegradable and leaves no waste (Kashigi et al., 2025).
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Hadithi Employees (Organizers): The number of full time employees for Hadithi Crafts gradually increased from 1 in 2014 to 10 in 2024. By 2024 Hadithi team has a community department of 4 liaison officers, Production and Sales department of 4 people, an accountant and a general manager. The dye centre also employs one person full time.
Funders: Because Hadithi Crafts provide alternative income sources that are eco-friendly, they receive most of their grants from Wildlife Works; an organization that partners with communities in preserving their ecosystem from poaching, charcoal burning, etc. Cash grants were used to employ team members and acquire supplies for basket weaving. In their earlier years, this organisation oversaw Hadithi’s work and place in the market but they overtime became self-sufficient.
Another funder of Hadithi is the Solid Crafts, an NGO based in Belgium that supports local initiatives within several countries. A grant they have given to Hadithi was able to facilitate a meeting space for five groups in the town of Kisimenyi. Other funders, NEST, Byhand consulting and Powered by People.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
The initiative is only open to women specifically women who are within a formally registered women groups in Kenya. This means they are registered with the Department of Social Services. This registration essentially enables groups to open bank accounts, access training and funding, and to engage independently with government or NGO programs.
