RIYADH: Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s Alwaleed Philanthropies has launched a new brand, Mizwada, which aims to support Saudi female artisans and give them a vehicle to showcase their work and earn money from it.
Mizwada is a partnership between Alwaleed Philanthropies and Teeb, a multi-disciplinary Saudi design and production company that produces handcrafted wooden art.
As part of the agreement, artisans who make handcrafted products for Mizwada will benefit from the sale of each product. Alwaleed Philanthropies is also collaborating with PIK, a local app in Saudi Arabia, which will sell the pieces produced by those working with Mizwada.
A range of products will be available through the app from Mizwada, including leather goods, woodwork and ceramics. Each of these pieces is handmade by female Saudi artisans using locally sourced materials.
Princess Lamia bint Majed Al-Saud, secretary-general of Alwaleed Philanthropies, said in a press statement: “Two key challenges are clear in this sector: unemployment and the lack of adequate skills training.
We must work together to overcome these through programs that place women and girls at the heart of their initiatives.
Our artisans produce products of high quality and standard, with each product going through a lengthy process of quality control, resulting in products with the best quality and perfect finishing. They are modern objects, but do however translate our history and heritage.”
