The rhythmic sound of sewing machines fills Rashida Khatun’s small workshop, where five women work together creating beautiful textiles and building their independence. As a widow and mother of four, Rashida transformed her life through ESDR’s women’s empowerment program.
When Rashida first arrived at the textile training center, she had never used a sewing machine. “I was afraid I was too old to learn new skills,” she remembers. “But the instructors were patient, and slowly I discovered I had a talent for creating beautiful things.”
The program taught her not just sewing techniques, but also business skills, financial literacy, and leadership. She learned to calculate costs, manage inventory, and market her products. Most importantly, she learned to believe in her own capabilities.
Today, Rashida’s workshop produces traditional clothing, modern garments, and decorative items that are sold in local markets and beyond. She employs four other women from her community, providing them with steady income and skills training.
“When women have economic independence, entire families benefit,” Rashida explains. “My children see me as a businesswoman, not just a mother. I’m showing them that circumstances don’t define your limits—your determination does.” Her success has inspired other women to join skills training programs and start their own enterprises.
