Mamun Khan, Founder- CivicPulse Ltd, Bangladesh
Rokeya grew up in a small village on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Her family struggled to make ends meet, and like many young girls in her community, she had to leave school early to help out at home. Life wasn’t easy. After her father passed away unexpectedly, the weight of supporting her family fell squarely on her shoulders. At just 18, Rokeya faced a daunting reality.
She heard about the bustling garment factories in Dhaka, where many women like her worked. With nothing but a few borrowed takas and her mother’s teary-eyed blessing, Rokeya left for the city, determined to find a way to provide for her family.
The transition was harsh. The city overwhelmed her. The factory environment was loud and chaotic, far removed from the quiet countryside she had always known. She joined as a helper at a large garment factory, where her task was to trim loose threads from finished garments. The meager wages barely covered her rent and food. Exhaustion became her constant companion, but Rokeya refused to give up.
One day, she noticed how the senior workers operated sewing machines with speed and precision. They earned almost twice her wage. A spark lit within her. If they could do it, why couldn’t she? Rokeya approached her supervisor, asking if she could learn to stitch during her breaks. At first, he laughed, dismissing her request. But Rokeya persisted, showing up every day to watch and mimic the other workers.
Her determination impressed a co-worker named Shabana, who quietly began teaching Rokeya after shifts. Fatigue didn’t deter Rokeya; every evening, she practiced on scraps of fabric until her fingers ached and her stitches became straighter. Slowly, she gained skill and confidence. After a few months, an opportunity arose to fill a vacancy on the production line. Rokeya seized it, becoming a full-time operator.
With her new role came a salary increase, and for the first time, Rokeya could send money back home. But her ambition didn’t stop there. She enrolled in weekend training sessions offered by an NGO that focused on empowering garment workers. Through these sessions, she learned about workplace rights, financial literacy, and leadership skills. She also began saving a portion of her earnings, motivated by dreams of starting something of her own.
Years later, Rokeya left the factory, but not because she failed. By then, she had saved enough to open a little tailoring shop in her village. What started as a one-woman operation grew into a thriving business. With her experience and connections in the garment industry, she got contracts to provide stitching services for local retailers. She even hired two young women from the village, ensuring they wouldn’t have to face the struggles she once did.
Today, Rokeya walks through her village with her head held high. She has built a small house for her family and no longer worries about how to pay for her younger brother’s school fees. The once timid girl who arrived in Dhaka uncertain of her future is now a self-made businesswoman. She speaks confidently at community meetings, sharing her story and encouraging other women to pursue independence.
Rokeya’s life has taught her resilience, but her greatest lesson is one she shares freely with others. “Don’t wait for someone to fix your life,” she says with determination. “Start small, but start today. You are stronger than you think.”
Her words resonate, especially with the young women she mentors. Rokeya is proof that even from the toughest beginnings, a single stitch can weave a brighter future.
