BSS, Rajshahi :
Department of Women Affairs ((DWA) has implemented various women empowerment and social safety net related development programmes involving around Taka 265.96 crore in the district during last nine and half years.
Shobnom Shirin, District Women Affairs Officer, told the news agency that more than 2.71 lakh women were brought under the uplift schemes helping improve their living standard.
Under the Distressed Women Development Programme, 1,65,552 women were given food grain assistance worth about Taka 226.48 crore. They were also given training on income-generation trades.
Some 37,494 poor mothers were given maternal allowance worth around Taka 15.01 crore. The beneficiaries were also imparted five-day training on 15 need-based issues. Under the working lactating mother assistance fund programme, 34,530 mothers were given allowance worth around Taka 6.84 crore. Each of them was given 24-hour training on 15 need-based issues.
Shirin said the mothers along with their infants were given necessary antenatal and postnatal healthcare services for maintaining their sound health.
Some 5,392 babies from limited-income families were given daycare services in the district at a cost of around Taka 43.91 lakh. Around 1,722 either working or job-hunting women received residential services in working women hostel.
Under the microcredit programme for making women self-employed, 20,504 beneficiaries were given small-loans worth around Taka 13.10 crore. Upazila level distressed and helpless women were given loan from Taka 5,000 to Taka 15,000 each.
A total of 2,380 women were given training on various income-generating trades like sewing, embroidery, boutique and tailoring and they were also given allowance worth around Taka 1.31 crore. Distribution of 288 sewing machines among the trained women was completed.
Under the women income-generating training programme, 60 women were imparted six-month motor driving training, 60 women six-month computer servicing and 1,440 others were given three-month vocational training on various trades. They were also given post-training allowance.
Some 1,356 registered volunteer women associations were provided grants worth Taka 2.31 crore. Under the distressed women and children assistance fund, 338 beneficiaries were given financial support worth around Taka 16.88 lakh. Some 200 joyeeta got allowance valued around Taka 28.90 lakh. “We have engaged around 50 women in skill development training for their livelihood,” said Anwara Begum, president of Dashmari Distressed Women Welfare Association.
“Raziya Sultana, 25, of Dharampur Bazekazla earns around Tk 400-500 per day after shopping bags,” said a local community leader.
Sharing views on the issue, Prof Rozety Naznin, President of local unit of Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said supporting the poor women for their skill development is very important.
