Rangpur: Sanjida Akhtar, a housewife from the Satmatha Bir Bhadra Railgate area of Rangpur city, has transformed her life from battling poverty and illness to becoming a successful female entrepreneur. Through sheer determination and the simple tools of a needle and thread, she has not only changed her own destiny but also impacted the lives of over fifty women in her community.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sanjida’s journey began in 2017 when she married Osman Gani while she was still a tenth-grade student. Despite expectations of a joyful married life, she faced serious illness within six months, and her husband’s business collapsed, plunging the family into poverty. Osman was forced to work as a tiler, with no support from his or Sanjida’s family.
In a recent interview, Sanjida recalled her determination to contribute financially to her household, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Her husband purchased a smartphone for her on installments, which became a tool for learning and empowerment. Through YouTube, Sanjida taught herself the art of needlework design, starting with a hand-stitched punjabi for her husband. Local admiration for her work boosted her confidence to pursue a business venture.
In 2021, she launched a Facebook page, ‘Hater Choya’ (Hand Touch), with an investment of about Taka 10,000 in materials. Despite initial challenges, including a significant business loss due to a canceled order from Italy, Sanjida persevered and improved her skills through online resources. By 2023, her products gained national popularity, drawing orders from major cities like Dhaka and Chattogram.
Sanjida’s distinctive approach involves creating customized designs with care and love, distinguishing her products in the market. Her family’s financial situation has significantly improved, with a monthly income of Taka 30,000 to 45,000 and sales reaching Taka three to four lakh per month. Her husband, Osman, actively supports her business, handling logistics and helping with operations.
Osman expressed pride in their achievements, noting a shift from community skepticism to admiration and interest in learning needlework. Sanjida’s initiative has created employment opportunities for over fifty women, enabling them to earn between Taka 2,000 and 5,000 per month, contributing positively to their families’ financial stability.
Neighbor Abul Hashem highlighted the transformative impact of Sanjida’s business, stating that it has not only improved her family’s condition but also provided work opportunities for others, fostering a sense of community pride and empowerment.
Sanjida envisions further expansion of her initiative to offer more employment opportunities for women. She finds joy in empowering others, having overcome her own despair to become a source of inspiration.
Selowara Begum, Deputy Director of the Department of Women’s Affairs, Rangpur District Office, affirmed plans to provide training and support to Sanjida and her associates, aligning with ongoing district efforts to develop more women entrepreneurs.