On road to women's empowerment

The once sleeping Mandi village in Netrakona is now abuzz with women working on sewing machines at a mini garments factory, organised by Netrakona Integrated Development Project (NIDP). PHOTO: STAR

The illiterate poor women coming from faraway areas produce garments in a tin-shed room.

They are 120 and all are self-reliant, earning Tk 150 to Tk 200 a day by working for six to eight hours.

They are members of Netrakona Integrated Development Project (NIDP), a local NGO. NIDP launched the garments project in June last year with 60 women members. The member has doubled in a year.

The women became members with a monthly contribution of Tk 10.

Once enrolled, they are trained in garments production and given subsistence allowance during the six-month training period.

After training, each woman is provided with a sewing machine and supplied with fabrics and other inputs. The specified products are bought back by NIDP and supplied to markets in Netrakona and other districts.

They produce garments for men, women and children but do not have to worry for marketing those.

The products are in good demand, NIDP Project Director Gopal Karmakar told the correspondent during a visit.

“We are surprised at the success of the poor and illiterate women. All the women working here are illiterate but once trained and supplied with inputs, they utilise the scope properly in an intelligent way.

“They are changing their life and 95 per cent of the women have became self-reliant”, Gopal said.

He said, seeing the good response and success, NIDP authorities are now thinking to replicate the project in all upazilas of the district.

Amana Begum, 30, of Baischapra village said she earns 150 to Tk 200 a day by working in the garments project. She said she does not have to worry. The NGO markets the products.

Amana Begum said her husband is a rickshawpuller. Now that she adds a substantial amount to the family income, her two sons and a daughter go to school.

Rahima Khatun, 25, of Madni village, said her husband is physically disabled and can not work. She worked as a domestic help before becoming member of NIDP. She can maintain her four-member family with the earnings.

Most of the women this correspondent talked to said they are now self-reliant.

NIDP Planning Manager Abu Hanif said they have a plan to set up 10 to 12 more such projects in every upazila of the district.