Publication Date
Spring 2025
Abstract
This paper explores how fair trade shapes both the economic realities and personal aspirations of Indigenous women in Puno, Peru. Its findings are grounded in 23 semi-structured interviews with women from three artisan associations connected to Intercrafts Perú. Whilst fair trade offers an avenue for economic development that promotes cultural preservation, in the 4 interviews I conducted, many women shared that their income falls short of the national minimum wage and does not ensure food security. In contrast, women who have completed university reported greater economic stability and food security, suggesting that education is a key factor in improving quality of life. This analysis draws on interview findings to challenge the Western tendency to romanticize Indigenous culture, highlighting that the aspirations voiced by the indigenous women - such as pursuing higher education and stable employment - are not so different from those commonly held in the West. I argue that while fair trade may offer partial support, it cannot replace the need for sustained investment in education, infrastructure, and meaningful pathways to upward mobility.
Disciplines
Arts and Humanities | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Kohli, Neha, "Los impactos del comercio justo en las vidas de artesanas indígenas en Puno, Perú: Estudio de caso de Intercrafts Perú" (2025). Peru: Indigenous Peoples and Globalization. 8.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/per/8