By: Hafziur Rahman
Camp-9, Cox’s Bazar – December 21, 2024
In the sprawling Rohingya refugee camps, opportunities for growth and empowerment are scarce, especially for women and girls. However, the Rohingya Women’s Projects, established in 2017, is transforming lives by equipping women and girls with essential handcrafting and sewing skills. This initiative not only fosters financial independence but also provides hope and dignity to some of the most vulnerable members of the Rohingya community.
The Power of Handcrafting: A Skill for Life
Handcrafting skills, such as sewing, have become a beacon of opportunity for Rohingya women and girls. In a community where mobility is limited, acquiring vocational skills is a step toward self-reliance. These skills enable women to support themselves and their families financially, whether within the camps or beyond.
The Rohingya Women’s Projects has structured vocational training programs across three sewing centers. Over 50 women and girls are currently enrolled in a six-month sewing course where they learn to create items such as pillow covers, blouses, skirts, and dresses. With more than 50 sewing machines and six dedicated trainers, participants receive hands-on training to master these valuable skills.
Transforming Lives: Voices from the Learners
Shokila’s Story
“My name is Shokila, and I am 13 years old, living in Thankhali Camp. Before joining the Rohingya Women’s Projects, I never imagined I could create something useful with my hands. Now, I can sew pillow covers, blouses, dresses, and skirts. This skill helps my family save money and allows me to contribute to our household expenses. After nearly six months of training, I feel confident and proud of what I can do.”
Nur Hasina’s Story
Seventeen-year-old Nur Hasina shares a similar experience: “Before this course, I had no skills to support myself or my family. At this center, I learned how to cut fabrics and sew various items. The trainers treat us like their own children and always encourage us. Now, I feel empowered. I want to encourage other girls to learn these skills. This small craft can change your life.”
Halima Sadiya’s Journey to Independence
Halima Sadiya, 18, had once considered leaving for Malaysia in search of a better future. Instead, she joined the sewing course. “After six months of training, I felt like my eyes opened to a brighter world. The Rohingya Women’s Projects even provided me with a sewing machine after graduation. Now, I sew clothes in my shelter, and the income supports my family’s expenses and my brothers’ tuition fees.”
Meet the Trainers and Leaders
Sabekun Nahar: A Trainer’s Perspective
Sabekun Nahar, a trainer at Sewing Center 3, has been with the project since its inception. “We conduct two shifts every day, each with eight learners. The course provides valuable skills that help participants contribute to their families’ needs. After graduation, they receive a sewing machine, which empowers them to earn a living from their shelters.”
Toslima: The Sewing Project Director
As the director of the project, Toslima oversees the transformation of lives through this initiative. “This course is about more than sewing; it’s about building confidence and fostering independence. For orphaned children, these skills offer hope in the face of exploitation and trafficking risks. The project has graduated over 620 learners since 2017, each with the tools to create a better future.”
Breaking Barriers and Building Futures
The Rohingya Women’s Projects is not just a vocational training program; it is a symbol of empowerment. By teaching women and girls to sew, the initiative helps them break barriers, reduce household expenses, and create income opportunities. In a community where women are often marginalized, this program fosters confidence, financial stability, and self-reliance.
Conclusion: Stitching Hope, One Thread at a Time
Vocational training initiatives like the Rohingya Women’s Projects play a vital role in uplifting women and girls in the refugee camps. Through handcrafting and sewing, participants gain financial independence, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. These programs pave the way for a brighter, self-reliant future, empowering Rohingya women to move forward with strength, skill, and dignity—one stitch at a time.
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