- Season 3 | Episode 2
Crafting Change | SDG 5, 8, 12 & 13
What happens when traditional craftsmanship becomes a pathway to economic independence? Atia Hussain is exploring that possibility through Eco Artisan, a women-led social enterprise empowering women artisans in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. By connecting indigenous craftsmanship with new markets, sustainable livelihoods, and climate-conscious entrepreneurship, Atia is helping women turn skills passed down through generations into opportunities for greater independence, resilience, and leadership.
Atia Hussain
Social Change Leader
Atia Hussain is the Founder and CEO of Eco Artisan, a women-led social enterprise empowering women artisans in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, through sustainable livelihoods, traditional craftsmanship, and climate-conscious entrepreneurship.
A social entrepreneur and advocate for women’s economic empowerment, climate action, and youth leadership, Atia works at the intersection of social innovation, cultural preservation, and inclusive economic development. Through Eco Artisan, she connects traditional artisan skills to national and international markets, helping women turn their craft into dignified, sustainable livelihoods while preserving the cultural heritage of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Atia has represented Eco Artisan and Pakistan at international platforms, including the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in Bangkok and the Women’s Economic Conference in Sri Lanka, contributing to conversations on sustainable development, women’s entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.
Her work is driven by a belief in the power of entrepreneurship to build resilient communities, expand economic opportunity, and create pathways for women and young people to lead change.
