Design Thinking - Design To Drive Women Empowerment
Identifying support for women street vendors
This project was commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with WCCI (Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry), implemented by Social Innovation Lab.
I was responsible to design and facilitate a design thinking workshop to understand and diagnose the challenges and opportunities faced by women street vendors (particularly of Sunday Bazar Lahore) in their day-to-day work. From the UNDP’s unique frame of reference, the workshop also intended to promote and achieve Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No poverty), 5 (Gender Equality) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
The workshop followed the principles of ‘Design Thinking’ and 'Human-Centred Design' which is process of creative problem solving and systems thinking. It focuses on human needs and creating solutions that are viable and feasible. Design thinking tools were used to assess and examine the nature of the problems faced by the women vendors and inform other stakeholders the part they need to play to cater to these problems.
Conclusion
In the feedback, the participants expressed satisfaction with the workshop and were deeply motivated after engaging with the energetic women vendors. It was heartening for them to see that the vendors are extremely motivated and want to excel in their businesses in order to make a difference not only in their own lives but also in the lives of those around them.
The workshop concluded successfully with a deeper understanding of the problems identified at the onset. The recommended steps for stakeholders were to focus on the remaining “D’s” of Design Thinking i.e. “DEVELOP” & “DELIVER” whereby the same participants, with some additional experts, can get the opportunity to work with the women vendors again and co-create solutions and prototypes that can be implemented and tested in the field.
