BOGRA, Jan 3: Around 1500 female workers from poor and marginal families of different remote villages of Bogra district became self-reliant making paper packets (locally known as thonga) from last few years.
Meanwhile, the female workers, who struggled with extreme poverty before two years, took training on paper packets making and become solvent. Now, they found the way to contribute significantly to their family income.
The packets making initiative has brought significant change in the socio-economic condition among extreme poor women of different areas, said female worker Golesan Begum, 45, under Kahaloo upazila of the district. She becomes able to drive the course of poverty from her family, she added.
The enterprise has speeded among hundreds of neglected women rapidly in a view to see the success at different villages under Dupchanchia, Kahaloo, Adamdighi, Sonatola, Sariakandi and sadar upazilas in the district. They are supporting their poverty- stricken families with their income.
"I have started preparing packets taking a fifteen-day training from a small industry at Muroil and make around Tk 300 to 400 daily," said Maorium Begum,55, under Dupchanchia upazila.
Entrepreneur Azad Paper Mill, Sabuj Paper Mill, Hasan Paper Mill and other paper mills have created job opportunities for thousands of destitute women of the region by setting up these cottage industry in the region. The owners of the paper mill send the goods across the country mitigating local demand.
Khoteza Begum (52), wife of Abdul Mannan at Muroil village of sadar upazila said that she had been passing her days in extreme poverty even five years back as her husband was a day labourer. She also urged that she is known as self-reliant women in the society having started the profession.
Manager of Azad paper mill Asib Hossain said packets making job has become a blessing for the extreme poor women of different areas in the district as it has provided them a way to earn their living. He also stressed the need for government's patronisation for further expansion of the business.
