Golden threads of empowerment: women, muga silk and gender equality in Assam
Author(s): Himadri Gogoi
Authors Affiliations:
MA in Education, Cotton University, Assam, India
DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202509012 | Paper ID: IJIRMF202509012Assam's Muga silk, renowned for its golden hue and cultural significance is intricately linked to women's empowerment in the region. Women have been central to Muga silk production, engaging in sericulture, weaving and textile design. The intersection of women’s engagement in the Muga industry and gender equality highlights the importance of sustainable development goal 5(SDG 5). Women weavers serve as custodians of heritage, yet structural barriers such as limited access to credit, unequal wages, middlemen exploitation and declining youth participation constrain their agency. Global demands for sustainable and ethical textiles provides unprecedented opportunities for Muga silk. Women-led cooperatives, digital platforms and skill-development initiatives strengthen agency, visibility and income. Empowering women in the Muga sector sustains an ancient heritage while fostering inclusive growth and gender justice. Policy initiatives emphasizing skill training, cooperative strengthening, global branding and financial inclusion transform the industry into a women led model of sustainability. Recognizing women as innovators and cultural leaders allows Muga silk to emerge as a symbol of Assamese identity and a pathway toward gender equality.
Himadri Gogoi(2025); Golden threads of empowerment: women, muga silk and gender equality in Assam, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-9, Pp.94-100.     Available on –  https://www.ijirmf.com/
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