AfterTaste- Art For Empowerment

Have you ever felt that lingering aftertaste after eating one of your favourite foods? That is exactly what the women of AfterTaste want us to feel when we buy one of their products. The feeling or sensation that stays with us even after using something for decades. 

The women who are part of this organisation, make products by hand and sell these products to corporate organisations, academic institutions and personal buyers. 

AfterTaste is an initiative by the women of a village who had the vision to use art to fight against inequality of opportunities in 2013. While the men of these villages went out to work, the women were left behind to do all the house chores. Wanting to do more, the women started this organisation. Giving these women an identity and making them independent is what AfterTaste strives to achieve. They provide women with knowledge, exposure and the economic means to learn and get better at their work. 

Whenever we take a hand crafted product home, we should spare a moment of thought. Think about the transformation of a mere piece of paper to a beautifully handcrafted, hand painted utilitarian product. Think about how our purchase has helped to transform the life of a woman.

The question which we need to find the answer to is- how can we create a livelihood for the women, which is permanent and dignified. An opportunity which will provide the women with flexible hours for their domestic responsibilities as well as give them fair wages. Can we shift the mindset of the women in the rural areas from living each day at a time to thinking about tomorrow?

AfterTaste solves these problems by providing the women all that they need to grow. Each product is specially hand crafted by women who could not fulfil their own dreams due to unforeseen circumstances. These women have transformed from unskilled homemakers to skilled artisans, and have earned a dignified livelihood through the sales of their handcrafted, handmade products at AfterTaste. All of them have their own stories filled with struggles. But AfterTaste gives them a platform to transform themselves into women of substance. Empowered with their knowledge and skills, these women are breaking the mould and gradually steering their families out of the vicious cycle of gender inequality. They are setting an example for their daughters, stating that women are as capable as men. They are also teaching their sons that women deserve to be independent and have the right to work.

The women that AfterTaste is composed of, live in Mumbai, the financial capital of India. They have to adjust in space crunched poor quality housing, with no access to basic services such as water connection, drainage and toilets. These communities are trapped in the vicious cycle of economic and social poverty. Due to the pandemic the conditions of these places have deteriorated tremendously and so we as citizens of this country should do our part as well. Even a small gesture such as buying one of their products may give them the motivation to continue making the unique handicrafts and will help increase their standard of living.

Check out the following social media platforms to get to know more about AfterTaste and how you can help them!

Instagram- www.instagram.com/aftertaste_india

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/TheAftertaste/

Website- http://www.aftertaste.co.in/