In the quiet village of Shariktola Union in Pirojpur, 30-year-old Shefali Begum has emerged as a symbol of resilience. Born into poverty, Shefali’s education ended in grade 7, and she was married off young. Her life took a devastating turn in 2023 when her husband, a day laborer, suffered a stroke and became bedridden. Overnight, Shefali became the sole provider for her children and elderly parents.

With no steady income, she took up cooking for construction workers, but the work was inconsistent, and hunger was constant. Her breakthrough came when she was selected as a beneficiary under SWAPNO Phase II, a social empowerment program for women in extreme poverty.

Shefali completed 280 days of public work and received life skills and entrepreneurship training. Using her ROSCA savings of BDT 7,200, she bought poultry. After initial losses, she reinvested and now successfully manages a small farm with 39 hens and 12 ducks, improving her family’s nutrition and income.

She’s also tutoring her children and neighborhood kids—turning education into empowerment. Currently enrolled in formal sector training under SWAPNO, she is preparing for employment in the ready-made garments (RMG) industry.

“I want to see my daughter become a teacher and give my children a life I never had,” says Shefali. “I’m doing everything on my own now, and I believe I’ll be able to help others like me someday.”

Shefali’s journey from informal work to future formal employment shows how targeted social protection and skill-building programs can break cycles of poverty and empower women to lead change in their communities.

For Bangla Click Here