DUMURIA, KHULNA, Oct 7: Marginalised women in Gonali, Sajiyara, Maguraghona, Rudaghra, and Shobhana villages of Dumuria Upazila in Khulna are now dreaming new dreams, inspired by the Fisheries Department - dreams of a self-reliant life.
Those who once depended entirely on their husbands' income are now managing their households, educating their children, and providing financial support to their families by cultivating fish in enclosures.
Sabina Begum from Gonali Village says, "Before, I had to depend entirely on my husband's money and had to account for every penny spent. When I got the opportunity to earn, I took on the challenge. Now I manage on my own income and can even save."
She took a loan of Tk 40,000 from the Coastal Project of the Fisheries Department in Dumuria and started shrimp farming in her own enclosure. Her husband no longer goes to the sea to fish; he sometimes works in the enclosure or drives a van.
Sonia Begum from Araz-Sajiyara also started fish cultivation by taking a loan of Tk 50,000 in a similar manner. She took training and has taken charge of the household by farming fish in an enclosure. Sonia says, "Before, our men used to go to the river; now we ourselves work in the enclosures. We are also continuing our children's education."
Khadeja Begum from Maguraghona Village, Vice-President of the Bagda-Galda CBO (Community-Based Organization), informs, "There are over a thousand shrimp enclosures in our area. But encouraged by the Fisheries Office, for the first time, 15 women and 10 men together have created an enclosure. We received training on modern farming, tackling climate change risks, and leadership development. We hope we can become self-reliant on our own."
Mukta Biswas, President of the Rudaghra Galda-Bagda CBO, says, "With the support of the Upazila Fisheries Office, our project is progressing well. We conduct all transactions through the bank. I believe that through this association, the women of the area will go a long way with new dreams." Mukta mentions that she leads a team of 25 member fish farmers and also got the opportunity to travel to the Philippines for training with the support of the Fisheries Office.
Khadeja Begum, Treasurer of the Shobhana Bagda CBO, says, "Thirteen women and 12 men together have leased an enclosure in Shobhana West Para. With government support, such a project has come to our area for the first time. We received hands-on training from the office on shrimp cultivation. Furthermore, under the project, we also received signboards, nets, lime, polish rice bran, yeast, fertiliser, oilcake, fish and shrimp PL (post-larvae), and feed."
She adds, "Having received this support, we are now confident. We hope that with our own sweat and hard work, we can bring about a radical change in our standard of living."
Sohail Md Zillur Rahman Rigan, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Dumuria, says, "Under the Department of Fisheries' 'Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Project' and the 'Community Based Climate Resilient Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in Bangladesh' project, we are providing training, loans, and technical support to marginalised women and women from the fishing community in Dumuria. The aim is to make them self-reliant and enable them to cope with the challenges of climate change. Already, many women have joined fish cultivation and are bringing positive changes to their lives."
