Khulna: Speakers at a programme in Khulna highlighted the critical need to enhance women’s economic empowerment through the informal urban economy as a means to improve their socio-economic status and reduce gender-based violence. They emphasized that many women in Khulna are excluded from mainstream economic activities and continue to suffer various forms of violence and social discrimination.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the remarks were made during the inaugural ceremony of the project “Women’s Economic Empowerment through Informal Urban Economy,” which took place yesterday at the CSS Ava Centre. The event was organized by World Vision, a non-government organization active in Khulna.
Statistics shared during the programme revealed that 81 percent of women in Khulna experience some form of violence during their lifetime, including physical, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse, mostly inflicted by husbands or intimate partners. Data also showed that over 2.15 percent of Khulna city residents live below the lower poverty line, while 10.2 percent live below the upper poverty line. Among the working-age population, 39.10 percent of adults are not engaged in income-generating activities, with women representing 49.60 percent of this group.
In the 20-24 age group, approximately 31.82 percent are neither employed nor in education or training, with women accounting for 51.92 percent. Only 15.10 percent of adult women participate in the workforce, with 25 percent employed in the informal economy, a crucial sector for women’s economic involvement.
The newly launched project will directly benefit 1,160 women from 31 wards of Khulna City Corporation (KCC), with around 6,000 people expected to gain indirect benefits. The project has a budget of US$300,000 and will run for 24 months, from December 2025 to November 2027.
Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate of the Vested Property Cell of Khulna district administration, Umme Salma Khanam, attended the event as the chief guest. Special guests included Deputy Director of BSCIC Khulna Golam Shaklain, Director of Khulna Divisional Women Chamber of Commerce Shamima Sultana Shilu, Deputy Director of the Department of Women Affairs Suraiya Siddika, Executive Director of Rupantar Swapan Guh, and Convener of Khulna Press Club Enamul Haque, among others.
Presenting the project overview, Fuli Sarkar, Senior Manager of World Vision Khulna Area Programme Coordination Office, stated that the initiative aims to enhance the capacity of disadvantaged and marginalized women to engage in sustainable and profitable economic activities. The project will offer business management and entrepreneurship training to 1,160 women, with 400 receiving technical skills training. Furthermore, 600 women will receive financial support to expand and improve their businesses.
Chief guest Umme Salma Khanam emphasized that women’s empowerment should extend beyond financial gains to encompass building confidence and independence. She called for collective efforts to support women entrepreneurs and improve livelihoods in impoverished communities. She also noted that women engaged in professional and economic activities often face significant mental pressure, highlighting the need for prioritizing mental health and wellbeing, including access to counseling or medical support when necessary.