There’s no other human-invented tool that can give women empowerment and joy more like the sewing machine.
Me
Disclaimer: if you’re a so-called feminist easily offended, you better not read this OPINION as it will deal with a lot of instances where what I said can be considered sexist– for which I don’t care. Please read at your own risk.
I stumbled upon this op-ed piece in NYT. The cynical tone of the article tells all. The author disagrees that empowerment of women can be done by providing them with a sewing machine (or chickens or goats for that matter).
I. Beg. To. Differ.
I cringed at her dismissive tone. Not only did she not offer any real alternative solutions (on how to empower women), she also ends the article with a vague concept of global sisterhood. What on earth is that even mean?
At first I thought it was just me. It’s not. The comment section is full to the brim with all sorts of disagreement.
Below are some responses to her article that I found are closest to my own:
If micro-economic assistance for women isn’t the answer, then what is the empowerment wand we should wave at this problem? To whom do we voice our “demand for a more robust global sisterhood,” and how do we inject our beliefs into patriarchal societies?
BillWolfeWrites from Louisville
I strongly disagree with the author. People with economic freedom (that is they can support themselves) will eventually demand – and have the wherewithal to obtain – political freedom. The patriarchal societies in many underdeveloped countries are built on a foundation where women are dependent upon men for survival. Eliminate that dependence and you eliminate the patriarchy. v
Jim Waddell from Columbus, Ohio
Sure, empowerment is a vapid term. But the idea underlying these programs — untested as it may be — is not unreasonable.
David G. New Jersey
Which comes first, political power or economic power? To some extent, they may be inseparable: if you have absolutely zero political power, then you can be sure you won’t be allowed to amass any economic strength. The converse is true as well.
But we don’t live in a world of absolutes, it might be possible (maybe) that by increasing the economic strength of women they become a force worth courting in politics as well. You certainly haven’t made them worse off, at any rates. The platitudes may be nauseating but the program isn’t stupid.
So, without dwelling too much on that opinion I’d like to express my own 2 cents
2nd Disclaimer:
I don’t speak on behalf of, nor I’m advocating for, those institutions/NGOs that have such program that she apparently opposed. I speak directly, through my own experience and observations that span several years, generations and even cultures. But before we get to that, let’s take a quick glimpse on the history of the thing itself.
History of Sewing Machine
Before an English dude named Thomas Saint invented the sewing machine in 1790, women spent a lot of their time sewing. By a lot, I mean A LOT. Dresses, pants, bed linens, draperies, curtains, hats, bonnets, gown, all those medieval apparels.
A typical day of a medieval woman may look like this: feed the cattle, cook breakfast, have some tea, sew, milk the cow, cook lunch (chicken chasing session included), sew, lunch, another sewing, bath the children, cook dinner, dinner, another sewing, fucking, another sewing. Wash, rinse, repeat.
That’s one effin busy day! Busier than A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. I feel exhausted by just writing them.
The invention of sewing machine, after a short period of transition and adaptation to the new technology, allowed women more free time that in turn enabled them to pursue other activities (jobs, leisure time, affairs, longer tea etc). This includes even more sewing, because then, they could sew twice as many in half the time.
In startup’s term, the sewing machine is the ultimate disruptor and enabler at the same time.
Empowerment
The sound of sewing machine at night, is a sound from heaven promising that there will be food on the table tomorrow.
One of Djoko Pekik’s sons
Unlike the author of the said article, I do believe that empowerment can come by the means of economy. Why? Because in a society, the ability to earn money is a powerful skill one can have, no matter what society you belong to.
Economy is simply the most-ready route one can take in the quest of empowering oneself. It’s a starting point. We gotta start somewhere, right? If there’s already a well-made route, why blame others for not taking different ones?
The sewing machine enabled a stay-in-home mom to earn extra money to support the family.
Economic empowerment is foundational. The ability to earn one’s own income is a game-changer, particularly in societies where women are traditionally dependent on men. Earning money means autonomy, choices, and the potential to challenge societal norms.
The sewing machine has long been a gateway to this empowerment. A stay-at-home mom can take in tailoring work to support her family. A young woman in a rural area can learn to sew and build her own small business. Entire communities benefit when women have access to tools that enable them to generate income.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
The global apparel manufacturing market is forecast to reach $992 billion in value in 2021, an increase of 26.2% since 2016. The compound annual growth rate of the market during the period of 2016 and 2021 is forecast to be 4.8%
Prof. Sheng Lu
The global apparel manufacturing market is projected to reach $992 billion by 2021, growing at a compound annual rate of 4.8% since 2016. This massive industry wouldn’t exist without the humble sewing machine. Women make up a significant portion of this workforce, often supporting their families and communities through their labor.
Microeconomic programs that provide sewing machines are not just about the tools themselves—they’re about opening doors to a global economy. They’re about giving women a voice and a means to independence.
Closing Thoughts
The sewing machine is more than a tool; it’s a symbol of resilience and possibility. While critics may scoff at its ability to empower, history and lived experience tell a different story. Empowerment starts with action. Providing practical tools like sewing machines isn’t a complete solution, but it’s a powerful step in the right direction.
And as for that elusive “global sisterhood”? Perhaps it’s not as abstract as it seems—perhaps it starts with each stitch, each woman reclaiming her power, one sewing machine at a time.