BAGERHAT — Organic products handmade by women in the Bashabati area of Bagerhat Sadar upazila are no longer just home decor — they are a source of livelihood and aspiration for those who make them. Bird nests, cat toys, swings and shoes crafted from coconut husk, wood, cloth and yarn sell in local markets and are exported to Germany, Japan, Belgium and other countries. Roji Ahmed’s initiative has created jobs for 80 women in a women-friendly workplace. The work has not only opened a path to income but also built the women’s confidence.
At Ahmed’s factory, in her home courtyard and in two adjacent single-story buildings, 50 to 60 types of organic products are being made. Bird nests, swings and coconut shoes are being crafted from coconut husk and fiber. Cat toys, chopping boards, swings and cloth bags are being made from wood, cloth and yarn. Every product bears the touch of the women’s skilled hands. Each item is designed and finished according to specifications and packed precisely for shipment abroad. Exports go to Germany, Japan, Belgium and other countries. The venture is bringing foreign currency into the country. The women work from dawn to night and put their labor and creativity into every product.
An organic-products factory has grown up at Ahmed’s three-story residence and the two adjoining one-story buildings. At least 80 women work there, each earning between 3,000 and 5,000 taka. They are very pleased to have a peaceful work environment.
When mills and factories were shutting down during the coronavirus pandemic, Ahmed began selling handmade coconut scrubbers on Facebook. Within a short time they became popular. A private development organization called Uddipan then placed an order for fiber bird nests. New products followed one after another, and sales began at home and abroad.
Sharif Sardar, deputy manager of the Bagerhat office of BSCIC, said Ahmed’s initiative has created new employment opportunities for women. “The making of organic products has also brought in foreign currency. This is a source of inspiration for other women,” he said. Ahmed has received the Bangladesh Bank Women Entrepreneur Award 2024.
The Bagerhat venture is not only boosting women’s economic capacity, it is also opening paths to bring in foreign currency. The daily labor, creativity and perseverance of each woman worker has put organic products on the map in domestic and overseas markets. Ahmed’s innovative initiative is helping vulnerable women realize the dream of self-reliance.
The women are learning something new every day, creating something new, and their life stories and dreams are woven into each product. The venture is a source of inspiration for other women, demonstrating that even the smallest materials can produce huge economic and social impact when an entrepreneurial woman takes the lead.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report