RAJSHAHI, July 4, 2018 (BSS)-Many women have got the chance of attaining
self-reliance together with employing their near and dear ones in income-
generating activities through operating boutique houses in the city and its
outskirts.
Talking to BSS here, some of them termed the venture as an effective means
of women empowerment and social contribution.
Amena Begum, owner of Maisha Boutique and Fashion House at Upashahar
Koyerdara in the city, narrated her success story.
She supplies goods of order to different parts of the country successfully.
More than 100 women coming from underprivileged and disadvantaged
families are working in her industry as labourers.
“We supply our finished goods to more than 14-15 districts including
Dhaka,” said Tahmina Akhter Minu, owner of Minu Boutique House in Shapura
area. She is satisfied over her business that generates employment of around
50 women.
“We want to highlight our heritage side by side with the business,” Minu
said adding that business promotion is very important for women empowerment
along with their economic emancipation.
“We have founded ‘Angona Boutique and Fashion’ being operated by our
Angana Mohila Samity successfully making more than 100 women income-
generator,” said Iffat Ara, director of the samity.
Similarly, Daudpur Mohila Kolyan Samity’s Shefali Boutique and Mohona
Mohila Kolyan Samity’s Mohona Boutique have made at least 175 other women
self-reliant.
“We have linked around 50 women with skill development training for
their livelihood,” said Anwara Begum, president of Dashmari Distressed Women
Welfare Association.
After completing their training they are doing block, boutique and
embroidery works in their respective areas and many of them attained their
long-cherished economic emancipation.
Anwara Begum told BSS that the boutique houses were established and
operated with assistance of the district women affairs office.
Shobnom Shirin, District Women Affairs Officer, told BSS that the
department of women affairs has been working relentlessly for women
empowerment through business promotion for them.
Under the microcredit programme for making women self-employed, 20,504
beneficiaries were given small-loans worth around Taka 13.10 crore. Upazila
level distressed and helpless women were given loan from Taka 5,000 to Taka
15,000 each.
A total of 2,380 women were given training on various income-generating
trades like sewing, embroidery, boutique and tailoring and they were also
given allowance worth around Taka 1.31 crore.
Distribution of 288 sewing machines among the trained women was completed.
Under the women income-generating training programme, 60 women were
imparted six-month motor driving training, 60 women six-month computer
servicing and 1,440 others were given three-month vocational training on
various trades. They were also given post-training allowance.
Some 1,356 registered volunteer women associations were provided with
grants worth Taka 2.31 crore. Under the distressed women and children
assistance fund, 338 beneficiaries were given financial support worth around
Taka 16.88 lakh.