DESMANIA x DFG
Shakti Cart
Newly Launched
The Shakti Cart is a livelihood cart specially designed for the economic inclusion of women street vendors to increase their visibility and mobility in public spaces. This one-of-a-kind product has been conceptualized and designed by Desmania Designed for Good with the support of PVR NEST.
Project Type:
Research, Product Design
Partners:
PVR Nest, ABWCI
02.
Insight & Strategy
Challenge
The absence of a well-formed structure or a cart that can be easily pushed, discourages women street vendors. Street vending in itself is male dominated, with the carts requiring a lot of physical strength and force to be pushed, making it less accessible to women. The management and maintenance of an open cart is difficult and lacks any well-formed structure. Assessing this challenge that most women vendors face, Desmania Designed for Good has designed and conceptualized the Shakti Cart
Approach
Keeping in mind the needs and concerns of women street vendors, through its manageable size, lightweight quality, and easy push-cart mechanism – the Shakti cart fulfils the daily, practical, and social needs of women while creating the opportunity for them to sell their wares and products comfortably out in the open. The 'Shakti Cart' features large display sections, providing women with a prominent platform to showcase and sell their products, enhancing both visibility and mobility. The Shakti cart is modular, compact, expandable, and movable, constructed with wood, steel, and fabric. It is a step forward for small-scale women-run businesses, women entrepreneurs, craft-preneurs and any female vendors selling non-perishable items to empower them as active and independent participants in public spaces in Delhi.
03.
Impact
The Shakti cart was launched on August 16th, 2023 with PVR Nest's Garima Shakti Program by the cast and crew of the film Ghoomer. The event held at PVR Plaza in New Delhi, marked the first ever public screening of the film. Director R Balki along with actors Abhishek Bachhan, Saiyami Kher, Angad Bedi and the WASH champions of the Garima Shakti Program unveiled the 'Shakti Cart', a livelihood cart specifically designed for women by Desmania Designed for Good supported by PVR Nest and ABWCI.