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33-year-old Rina Akhtar, hailing from Dhaka, Bangladesh, found herself grappling with adversity when her husband deserted her, leaving her to raise their two daughters alone.
Undeterred by the daunting hurdles of poverty and societal judgment, Rina refused to be defeated by her circumstances. She took charge of her family's welfare by leveraging her sewing skills and household management expertise to start her own tailoring business. “I came to the decision that, if I start a small business, I’ll be able to take care of my two girls”, Rina explains.
Before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey, Rina worked as a domestic worker in other people’s homes, leaving her no time to take care of her children. According to Rina, after becoming a single parent, the struggle to balance her care responsibilities with her work, combined with the instability of domestic labour, pushed her to pursue her entrepreneurial aspirations. However, she lacked the business knowledge or resources to expand her business, and with only a sewing machine and determination in her possession, she faced countless challenges along the way.
In December 2023, Rina's life took a positive turn. Through a project implemented by Nari Maitree, in partnership with ESCAP’s Catalyzing Women's Entrepreneurship programme, Rina underwent comprehensive training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business development, equipping her with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of the business world. In particular, the trainings equipped her with strategic purchasing skills, enabling her to buy raw materials at a low cost. Rina also received specialized training on climate change adaptation strategies, empowering her to address environmental challenges within her business operations.
In addition to developing her business acumen, with support from ESCAP and Nari Maitree, Rina secured seed funding for her business, allowing her to expand her enterprise and increase its profitability. Upon receiving the grant, she went on to invest in a small shop, which she proudly operates as one of the few woman-owned establishments in the community.
Rina has also now opened her first bank account which has helped her to build up savings, and she now puts money aside every month for the future. Prior to expanding her business, Rina and her daughters were living in a slum area in Dhaka, residing with ten other families in one room where Rina also operated her business. The family has since moved to a new area nearby, where they now rent their own room.
Despite having faced a range of financial and personal hurdles, with the right support, Rina was able to establish a thriving business. “Having my own business is a matter of pride for me. This is my own business”, she emphasises.
Rina is keen to share the lessons she has learned from her challenges to inform other women in similar circumstances, and her vision for growing her business extends beyond her own success.
As I have succeeded, I wish to support other girls and women in the community so they can become self-reliant." In addition to providing employment opportunities for vulnerable women in the community, Rina is determined to prioritise the education and skill development of her daughters, now 12 and 14 years old, empowering them with the knowledge and skills they need to become independent. Rina is also sharing her newly acquired knowledge of climate adaptive strategies with the broader community. In particular, she no longer uses polythene bags and is encouraging other local business owners to do the same.
Today, thanks to her indomitable spirit and entrepreneurial acumen, Rina's flourishing business not only sustains her family but is paving the way towards a brighter and more prosperous future for herself and her community.
