How Daughters of the Ganges is bringing female artisans to the forefront

This week Big Issue Group takes a big step forward in tackling our CO2 emissions, as we kick off a new partnership with Citroën to switch our UK-wide van fleet from diesel to electric vehicles. Find out why we’re going green for our vendors, our staff, our customers – and the planet.

As part of our Meet the Maker series, we speak to the people behind the creations in The Big Issue Shop – a platform for buying ethical products which put people and the planet first. This time, we speak to Priyanka Vasudevan, one of the founders of Daughters of the Ganges.

What can we find on your part of The Big Issue shop?

When you look at the Daughters of the Ganges page, you will see a range of colourful handmade pieces of jewellery.

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All our products follow Fairtrade principles, which include fair pay, sustainable raw materials, and clean work environments. They are designed by our in-house designer, who consults our artisans for their ideas and technical abilities.

Our jewellery includes earrings, necklaces and bracelets, primarily made of brass with patina.

All our products are hypoallergenic. Each piece of jewellery is packaged in a 100 per cent cotton, handmade pouch. They make ideal gifts for ethical shoppers and conscious consumers.

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How do your products make a positive difference in the world?

By buying handmade products, we can support local artisans and their crafts. Not only would this benefit individuals, it would also benefit their families and entire communities.

More money can be put into children’s education and more women can be included in the work force. The movement towards handmade products can have a positive impact worldwide.

What inspired you to start your company and how did it start?

Daughters of the Ganges, or DOTG, was born when we stumbled upon an opportunity to do something meaningful and make a difference to the vulnerable and marginalised communities in India.

Having a contact in a WFTO certified organisation, we knew that this was a sign to take our first step in making a change that could have a positive impact.

We were able to source our products from artisan communities and witness the changes as they unravelled. Once we observed how our small moves could affect lives, however small, we could not look back.

What is the biggest issue everyone should know about at the moment?

Fast Fashion is the biggest issue we are facing at the moment. Even though shopping for a few new clothes seems harmless, the effect it could have collectively is earth shattering. Not only is it bad for the environment and exploits workers, it also indirectly damages habitats for animals.

What is one thing anyone can do to make a positive difference?

Limited shopping at big fast fashion stores is the first step we can take. Ask questions like “Who made my clothes?”, “Where was it made?” and “What is it made of?”.

It would be advisable to not fall for trends. Buy what represents you and what you can wear for years to come, if it’s taken care of.

To find Daughters of the Ganges on the Big Issue Shop, click here.

And to find more ethical products on the Big Issue shop, click here.