Women are a discriminated and heavily oppressed group in Bangladesh. They are largely confined to household work and their opinions are rarely considered in family decision making, partly because they have no participation in the direct earning process of the family. Facts reveal that if they could earn for the family they would be empowered. Opportunities in the formal sector are limited and women are often exploited as cheap labour — but with education or skills training they can take part in economic activity.
Considering this, Unnayan Uddog established Nari Kendra (Centre for Women) to render services, including skills development training, to disadvantaged women so that they can be involved in self-earning economic activities.
Nari Kendra (Centre for Women)
Unnayan Uddog provides skills development training to rural and disadvantaged women in sewing Nakshi Kantha (embroidered quilt or decorated bed sheet with special motifs), tailoring, boutique, candles and various jute and cane items. After training, micro-credit support helps them start their own economic activity, and Unnayan Uddog helps them sell their products through renowned outlets in Dhaka. Under this supervision, poor women are showing outstanding performance in self-employment generation and a portion of them are now self-dependent and contributing to their families.
Nakshi Kantha
Bangladesh is a developing country with limited resources and limited items to export. In search of an alternative export item, Unnayan Uddog has given extra effort to developing the quality and design of the artisans involved in this project. Artisans produce Nakshi Kantha, wall mats, cushion covers, table cloths and similar items. They currently sell in the local market, and there is a plan to export through the organization's own efforts.