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DHAKA, June 11, 2025 (BSS) - Umme Kulsum, Sharmin Ferdous, Mahmuda Begum and Manisha Khatun are well-known in remote Bholahat Upazila in Chapainawabganj as ardent fighters in defeating poverty and they are now symbols of inspiration for other local women because of their stories of resilience and success.  

They have refused to give in to the harsh realities of life despite social and familial injustices, abuse, and financial hardship. They achieved self-reliance through various income-generating activities and in recognition of their achievements, the Department of Upazila Women Affairs awarded them with crests and certificates.

While sharing her experience Umme Kulsum, daughter of Elias Ali of Kharbatra village under Bholahat Upazila, said her father was the sole breadwinner of their poor family. Struggling to manage the family, her parents arranged her marriage at an early age. In her husband’s house Kulsum faced both physical and mental torture over dowry. Not only from her in-laws but also her drug-addicted husband abused her.

At one stage, unable to endure the abuse, Kulsum divorced her husband and returned to her poor family. Later, she received sewing machine training from the Upazila Women Affairs office. On the other hand, with a small loan from an NGO, she bought goats, ducks, and chickens. Now, Umme Kulsum is self-reliant and living a stable life.

Another inspiring woman is Sharmin Ferdous, wife of Belal Uddin of Gopinathpur village under the upazila, was brought up at a financially struggling family. Sharmin studied up to 10th grade before being married off. Her dreams of a better life seemed out of reach. After having two children, she still didn’t give up hope. After getting information from a neighbor, Sharmin approached the upazila Women Affairs office and learned sewing. She was able to educate her two children up to postgraduate level, and now both are employed in government jobs. The self-determined woman said she is now a very happy person.

In another story, Mahmuda Begum, wife of Nayon of Durgapur village in Jambaria Union, said, “I was a very good student and always ranked first in class until the 8th grade. But I was married off in 5th grade to a day laborer. Life was hard, and sometimes we didn’t have enough food. With my husband's support, I resumed my education and completed HSC. In the meantime, I become the mother of a daughter. I began working as a teacher at a local kindergarten, did tailoring, and took private tuition. Now I am actively involved in preventing child marriage and participating in various social development initiatives.” 

Manisha Khatun of Telipara village in Bholahat Sadar Union is the daughter of laborer Kashem Ali. She has three sisters and one brother. Her father raised them with great difficulty, but suddenly he passed away. As the eldest daughter, all family responsibilities fell on Manisha’s shoulders.

At one stage, she learned sewing from the Women Affairs office and started tailoring work while continuing her studies. She managed both the household and her education. Currently, she is in her second year of a degree pass course and earns around Tk 15,000 per month by sewing traditional embroidered quilts (Nakshi Kantha). She is now quite successful.