DHAKA, June 4, 2024 (BSS) - Khadiza Akther, a glaring example of women empowerment as she along with her husband running a pitha (cake) shop with the assistance of her daughter-in-law to help her family financially, encouraging other women to do something in their life.
 
She sells three kinds of pithas such as Chitoi pitha, Bhapa pitha and Chapti pitha at North Kazipara Bou Bazar Intersection (a makeshift market for local housewives) on a van regularly. Especially from the afternoon to late night people of the neighboring areas are relishing the pithas with mouth-watering ‘bhortas’, made by mashed vegetables/fish with mustard oil, onion, garlic and red chilies..
 
Every day, Khadiza sells 200-250 pithas on an average with the price of Taka 10 per pitha. In this way, she earns Taka 800 to1,000 per day after maintaining all the expenses. Her income is more than her husband Al Amin who supports her to run the business. This self-reliant woman also deposits a portion of her income as a future fund.
 
The 35-year old woman said she started this pitha selling business in 2014 at the same place with an aim to change her fate and she achieved her goal.
 
“Initially, I used to sell only Chitoi pitha and earned Taka 150-200 per day. After one and half years, I added two more pitha items and started earning more than the previous amount,” said Khadiza, who is blessed with three offspring--two sons and one daughter.
 
She said her husband Al Amin has a small tea stall near North Kazipara Bou Bazar. But his income is insufficient to maintain the expenses of their six-member family.
 
Though her elder son is also a vegetable vendor but his income is too small to bring the bread and butter for the family. That’s why, Khadiza thought she should do something for the wellbeing of her family. And at last, she decided to start a pitha business beside her husband’s shop.
 
Hailing from Patiya upazila of Chattogram district, Khadiza married Al-amin of the same upazila. Her elder son is married and the other two children -- younger son and daughter-- are school-goer.
 
Khadiza said, “My parents married off me to Al Amin at an early age. No one believes that I have a daughter-in-law, who is about to become a mother. My son also got married at an early stage. But, now I know this is an unlawful act. So, next time I will not make the same mistake as I have two other children."

"Now, we are doing great. I do not need to depend on others to run my family as I have achieved what I wanted through my hard work,” she said with a smile of satisfaction.