DHAKA, Jan 12, 2025 (BSS) - Women working with Sopner Shiri Bahumukhi Unnayan Sangathon (Stairs of Dream Multipurpose Development Organization) in Nikli upazila of Kishoreganj district have become self-reliant, finding a way of their employment in making sari, the traditional attire of Bengali women.

Sopner Siri Bahumukhi Unnayan Sangathon is a community based organization. Non-governmental organization (NGO) Popi has built a house for the organization under its recall project. There are eight frames made from wood in the house. Around 30 women and adolescents are working at these frames in phases. They are making traditional sari with lace and sequins. Popi's recall project has trained them about the works through its seven-day long program.

Shahor Banu, 30, a housewife of Daulatpur village has become self-reliant by working at this house. Her husband Abu Salek, now mentally imbalanced, was a farmer. For the last 16 years, Abu Salek was unable to work in the field and did not earn money for his family. Sohor Banu used to pass her miserable days with her one son and one daughter. She worked at many houses in the village as a part timer housemaid.  One day, she met with a field worker of Popi and she got the chance to work with Sopner Siri Bahumukhi Unnayan Sangathon.

Now, Sohor Banu is earning around Taka 5-8 thousand per month by working in morning and afternoon at the office house of Sopner Siri Bahumukhi Unnayan Sangathon. Her daughter Roksana, 13, also helps her in lace and sequins work. Roksana's work also contributes to Sohor Banu's earnings.

However, women workers said they do not get the fair wages for their labor. If they get the fair wages as per their work, their earnings would have increased. They said if the wholeseller, Rahim, pays the members of the organization a little more, they will be more benefitted.

Popi's field facilitator Nasima Khatun said around 400 women and adolescents of Daulatpur, Biatirchar, Para Bajitpur, Gurui Kunahati, Chhetra and Ajitpur village under the upazila are involved with lace and sequins work with sari. Popi has trained 120 women and adolescents in two phases.

Nasima said, members of the organization deposit taka 50 per week to their bank account. The members of Sopner Siri Bahumukhi Unnayan Sangathon can get an easy loan from their deposited money which helps them become an entrepreneur to make a new duck or cattle farm in the area. 

Rahela Khatun is another housewife of the village who has become self-reliant by working at the Sopner Siri Bahumukhi Unnayan Sangathon. Her day laborer husband cannot maintain the five-member family. By working at the organization, now she can earn Taka 8-10 thousand per month which has changed her life.

"We do not have enough earnings to run our family smoothly. My husband's income was very low to maintain our five-member family. One day, one of my neighbors informed me about Sopner Siri Bahumukhi Unnayan Sangathon where women can work in traditional sari with lace and sequins. I also joined the organization. Since then, my life has changed. I can earn from this organization and this had made me self-reliant. Now I am living with my family with peace and happiness," said Rahela.