Traditional handicrafts alleviate poverty in Guizhou

A craftswoman embroids at the competition in Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou province, on Aug 14. (Photo/Xinhua)

The fifth women's traditional handicraft skills and innovative products competition was held Wednesday in Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou province.

The craftswomen specialising in embroidery and batik from across Guizhou competed together, making clothes, accessories and innovative products on site.

The Guizhou government launched the "Jinxiu Plan" in 2013, meaning beautiful brocades and embroidery. The project is devoted to alleviating poverty by developing the women's handicraft industry.

Before the plan, women in poorer areas had to leave home seeking jobs in the big cities, resulting in stay-at-home children and unbalanced family structures. Nearly 500,000 women in Guizhou are now employed in the handicraft industry following the implementation of the plan, and the output value of the industry has reached 6 billion yuan.