Farida becomes beacon of struggling women

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DHAKA, Sept 16, 2019 (BSS) – Farida Alam, a woman entrepreneur of
Shahajalal area in Sylhet, has become a icon to other female of the vicinity
with her diligent work and dedication to changing fate as she has been self-
reliant by sewing clothes, encouraging other women to be self-employed.

Farida now owns two shops named ‘Monalisa Boutiques’ and ‘Monalisa
Tailors’ which contributed a lot to changing her fortune. Her income helps
family run smoothly. Now she leads a happy life with husband and children.

Her husband Shamsul Alam was a caretaker cum upper divisional assistant
(UDA) at Sylhet Osmani Museum. He was a real honest man. He was the only one
earning person of the family. So her family was not well-off and the thinking
of doing something always used to haunt her to help family. From that
thinking, she learned sewing and then she hadn’t looked back any more.

Now her fortune has changed. Her children are also now in good jobs. She
is now working to change other women’s fate, teaching them sewing and helping
them as her capability.

Many women are taking lessons from Farida. She is also happy to give
lessons to other women as they can survive and find out their own employment
opportunities.

Farida said she started her sewing work in 1996 after getting training
from the Department of Youth Development to relieve her husband from extra
pressure. “Now, I’m the owner of two shops,” she added.

“Along with doing my own business, I also employ women and teach them
about sewing and boutiques,” she said.

Farida is giving training to distress women and children under SDP
project of BRAC and women entrepreneurs under Bangladesh Women’s Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.

She is now current general secretary of Bangladesh Women’s Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (BDB-WCCI).

Under the organization, Farida is giving training to hundreds of women.
Many women are now established business entity by getting training from
Farida.

She said “Now I’m thinking about the distress women of the society. The
society will go ahead if the women are empowered.”

Farida said she is also giving training to third gender.

For her outstanding contribution to empowering women, Farida was adorned
with Department of Youth Development award. She received prize from President
last year.

Farida said, “My business is increasing day by day. But the path was not
so easy. Once I had no money for business. I saved money from my daily
expenses and took loan from a NGO. Now I changed my fortune and everything
has become possible for my dedication and hard working.”