The rhythmic hum of a sewing machine is the sound of a new beginning for 43-year-old Saleha Begum. A resident of Nabinagar, Ward No. 18 of Khulna City Corporation, she is turning threads and stitches into a source of hope. After years of struggling with uncertain income, she has learned a new skill that could help her build a more stable livelihood and a more secure future for her family.

Reaching this point, however, was not easy. Five years ago, after her husband suffered a severe accident that left him paralysed and unable to work, Saleha became the only income-earning member of her family. With her husband unable to contribute financially and her eldest son living with a disability, she faced increasing pressure to manage household expenses, healthcare costs and her children's education.

“I am currently the only income-earning member of my family, as my husband has been paralysed for the last five years,” said Saleha.

Before joining the tailoring and sewing machine operation training, Saleha worked as a domestic worker and earned approximately BDT 4,000 per month. Despite her efforts, the income was not enough to meet her family's basic needs. She knew she needed a more stable way to earn and support her family.

For Saleha, learning to sew became more than an opportunity to gain a new skill. It gave her confidence, opened up the possibility of earning from home and showed her a path towards greater financial independence.

“This training has not only equipped me with valuable sewing skills but also given me the confidence to become self-reliant and support my family,” said Saleha.

For her husband, seeing Saleha continue to work for the family has brought hope after years of uncertainty.

“After my accident, I was worried about my family and our children's future. Seeing Saleha work so hard for our family makes me happy. I hope she can continue her work and that things become easier for our family.”

Having completed the training, Saleha is now looking ahead. With a sewing machine at home, she hopes to build a small business of her own — and to help other women do the same.

“My dream is to establish a small clothing business, create employment opportunities, and share my skills with other women so they too can achieve financial independence and build a better future for their families,” she said.

The turning point came when a tailoring and sewing machine operation training programme was introduced in her community through a UNDP-supported initiative helping women like Saleha build more secure livelihoods.

The training was provided through the Livelihood Support for Urban Poor Communities in Bangladesh (LSUPCB) Project. Launched in April 2026, the project is implemented by the Local Government Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives in partnership with UNDP Bangladesh, with support from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund.

As part of its skills development activities, the project provided three-month training to 250 women across six cities and municipalities: Chandpur, Chattogram, Dhaka North, Khulna, Narayanganj and Rajshahi.

For women like Saleha, access to practical vocational skills can open pathways to self-employment, greater financial independence and more secure livelihoods. By expanding opportunities for women across vulnerable urban communities, the project is helping families strengthen their resilience and build more secure futures.