Training programme held for RMG workers

Over 400 out-of-work women garment workers have received training in recent two events in a bid to establish business relations with different public and private sector actors, potential input and output market actors through backward and forward linkages.

In partnership with the Women Entrepreneurs Network for Development Association (WEND), iDE’s Oporajita project launched two Women’s Initiative for Sustainable Entrepreneurship Mela and Workshop (WISE 2024) at the Savar and Gazipur recently.

The WISE 2024 is a day-long event aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurship opportunity for iDE’s trained out-of-work women garment workers as well as for them to showcase and exchange products, services, ideas, and perspectives. The main objective of this event was to support the trained women to establish and sustain business relations with different public and private sectors, financial service providers, and input and output market actors, to start and/or grow income-generating activities for greater financial independence.

With the presence of various private sector and Government institutions including the Department of Women Affairs (DWA), Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Department of Social Services (DSS) and Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB), as well as financial institutions such as the Sonali Bank, TMSS, and Uddipan, prominent private companies including ACME Laboratory, Mushroom Association, and Oporajita partners including C-CAB, Save the Children, Phulki, Care, and CAIF, the WISE 2024 offers an engaging platform for entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs to know about and explore the various entrepreneurial training and various other support services offered by these organizations. The events also included workshops on trade licensing, digital access, banking and loan access, and WEND membership registrations.

“There are dedicated loan benefits for small and medium entrepreneurs (SME) which includes a minimum of 5 per cent quota for women. The women entrepreneurs could have borrowed from the huge stimulus package available at the bank, at a subsidized interest rate of four percent. However, unfortunately, no women entrepreneurs have applied for this package from Sonali Bank, Savar Branch. We need to make them aware and also work to remove their challenges,” said Md Shahadat Hossain, Assistant General Manager, Sonali Bank, Savar Branch

Initiated by H&M Foundation, and supported by Sweden, COS, and the Asia Foundation, Oporajita—Collective Impact on Future of Work in Bangladesh—has 14 organizations working together to safeguard the future of women garment workers amidst future automation and digitalization in the garment industry.

In Savar, Dr Nadia Binte Amin, Member of Parliament (MP) and President of WEND, graced the WISE 2024 Mela and Workshop with her presence as the Chief Guest and chaired the opening session.

“Local Business Member Organizations like WEND are key to ensuring long-term sustainability. They provide the necessary support, resources, and community for women entrepreneurs. By working together with the public and private sectors, we can create a robust framework that will continue to benefit women entrepreneurs for years to come,” said Sameer Karki, Country Director, iDE Bangladesh

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