Washington, DC: Two Advocacy Project (AP) partners that empower women through business are preparing to bring their handmade goods to customers worldwide via the internet.

Bosnian Family (BOSFAM), a group of woman in Tuzla, Bosnia who weave traditional Bosnian carpets, will launch its product line on socially-responsible shopping website World of Good on Friday. eHomemakers, a network of Malaysian women entrepreneurs who work from home, plans to sell “eco-baskets” – made from recycled paper – on online auction site eBay soon.

Having the goods on eBay and World of Good will help the women reach a larger audience, and hopefully increase their customer base and profits.

“More women are now taking risks and entering business areas that are not traditional for women here, like IT services, marketing homemade products on the web, and even selling directly over the internet,” said eHomemakers executive director Chong Sheau Ching.

Many of the BOSFAM weavers lost husbands, sons, brothers, and fathers in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, leaving these women as the sole providers for their families.

BOSFAM offers its members the chance to earn an income through weaving traditional Bosnian carpets (kilims), sweaters, socks and gloves. Not only is the weaving itself deeply therapeutic, but the sale of these items is the only source of income for many of the women.

The women of eHomemakers often work from home due to social constraints, disabilities, or chronic illnesses. The primary aim of the network is to provide women with business skills and technical training that will help them become economically independent.

Advocacy Project Peace Fellow Shweta Dewan, who volunteered with BOSFAM this summer in Tuzla, coordinated the World of Good launch with AP intern Alison Sluiter in Washington. AP Peace Fellow Ola Duru, who is volunteering with eHomemakers in Kuala Lumpur, is helping the women to improve their marketing strategy.

Read the blogs of Peace Fellows Shweta Dewan and Ola Duru.