PRODUCT INNOVATION IN LOW RESOURCE CONTEXT OF INDIAN HOUSEHOLDS

Abstract

In rural regions, the lives of women have been overlooked. Within the context of rural living, a woman's daily regimen usually commences during the early hours of the morning and includes activities such as personal grooming, culinary preparations, and the provision of meals for her family. Subsequently finishing daily chores involves feeding the cattle, fetching water, house cleaning, laundry, and participating in irrigation work. Despite carrying out these duties with a cheerful disposition, the woman faces challenges in accessing basic amenities, she encounters financial constraints and occasionally relies on a makeshift approach to address such limitations. Existing literature shows that Indian women in rural areas from low socio-economic classes spend an average of 7.2 hours a day performing daily chores. This physical and exhaustive work takes a toll on women’s physical and mental health. As per a study conducted by the Indian Human Development Survey in 2012, women dedicate 323 minutes per week compared to men's 155 minutes for fetching water, with participation rates of 94.8% for women and 70% for men. Similarly, in collecting firewood, women invest 352 minutes per week in contrast to men's 133 minutes, with participation rates of 40.7% for women and 25% for men. Despite existing rural innovations and numerous government programs, these women lack awareness of these resources, and as a result, persist in living under adverse conditions. This research aims to study the daily routine of women in rural areas within the low socio-economic class in the household sector. The investigation employs a qualitative approach, drawing on in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and ethnographic observations conducted in selected low-resource communities in Roorkee and Rohtak cities, India. The focus is on understanding how these women allocate their daily activities and the impact of everyday products on their lives. The findings were analyzed based on the classification and mapping of the products to identify gaps in the potential design intervention (utility, functionality, affordability, accessibility, and cultural influence). The study proposes design and innovation briefs to address these gaps, emphasizing the need for inclusive, frugal, and cultural innovations that empower rural women. As a way forward, future research should focus on collaborative efforts between local communities, policymakers, designers, professionals, and innovators, ensuring the development and dissemination of gender-sensitive innovation.