Maybank Women Eco-Weavers
Maybank Women Eco-Weavers programme aims to promote financial independence among women from marginalised communities in ASEAN, while preserving the traditional art of weaving. This programme works with female weavers and their families to revive and preserve traditional weaving practices through technical training, business skill capability-building and providing access to microfinancing, thus creating a pathway for women and their families to achieve financial stability and economic independence.
In ASEAN, there exist many similarities that cut across the borders of the 10 member nations, one of which being the ancient art of textile weaving. As a leading regional bank, Maybank appreciates the traditions and heritage across Southeast Asia, including the struggles to preserve the ancient art of textile weaving. Together with the ASEAN communities, we are evolving into a common mission to preserve the ASEAN cultural heritage and contribute towards building the ASEAN identity as aligned to the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025, in addition to supporting the aspirations of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The programme also primarily support the Maybank Group’s commitments of improving the lives of 2 million households across ASEAN by 2025.
Currently running in Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia, Maybank Women Eco-Weavers Programme has a key objective of creating economic independence and financial inclusion for women weavers through sustainable woven textile production. As part of a holistic approach to ensure sustainability in the weaving ecosystem, we also infuse sericulture programmes to help mulberry and cotton farmers who play a major part in the silk and cotton supply chain in selected countries. Ultimately, whilst focusing on the women weavers, this award-winning programme aims to provide financial uplift to as many people as possible in the art of textile weaving.
Since the Programme’s inception in 2016, we have positively impacted more than 3,381 weavers and farmers through this programme, planted more than 411,000 Mulberry and cotton trees. Many of whom have been positively impacted, have shared their success stories in the book entitled, ‘Weaving Communities, Transforming Lives: An ASEAN Story’.
Together with ASEAN, we are evolving a common mission to preserve the ASEAN cultural heritage and contribute towards building the ASEAN identity as aligned to the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025. The programme currently runs in Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Since the community empowerment programme is designed to support traditional weaving practices in ASEAN. It involves:
- Identifying new talent
- Training and Capacity Building
- Microfinance to support the sustainable development of women entrepreneurs
In each country, Maybank Women Eco-Weavers is tailored to meet country-specific targets and objectives based on unique local contexts. We work strategically with local partners that are passionate and have a good track record in developing women weavers into entrepreneurs. Environmental stewardship also serves as a key differentiator in production, as we promote eco-friendly, naturally dyed handwoven items.
