As the world marks October 15 as the International Day of Rural Women, the story of the Valerian Handicraft Centre in southern Bangladesh stands as a powerful example of how women’s skills and determination can transform lives and communities.
Ajura Khatun, around 60 years old, is married to Yakub Ali, an impoverished farmer. For the past 25 years, she has worked at the Valerian Handicraft Centre in Shimulia, Jessore.
“My husband cannot provide enough food,” Ajura told Radio Veritas Asia. “So I came to the Sisters’ Handicraft Centre. I learned a skill. Now I earn my own income, and my family’s needs are met.”
Today, Ajura provides nutritious food for her children and ensures they receive a good education. All three are doing well in life. “This centre is a blessing,” she said with pride. “I am self-sufficient. I help my husband. My children are established.”
Like Ajura, many other women have found new beginnings here. Shiuli Begum, 25, lives with her parents. Though she studied up to the tenth grade, she could not continue her education and remains unmarried. One day, she visited the Valerian Handicraft Centre with a neighbor, and her life changed.
“I learned a skill and joined the work,” she said. “I earn about eight thousand taka a month. This helps my parents buy food and medicine.” Shiuli also saves a portion of her earnings and feels safe and valued working at the centre.
Rupali Akter, 50, was abandoned by her husband and once worked as a domestic helper. Now, she too finds stability and respect through the handicraft centre. “My husband left me and married another woman,” she recalled. “He does not support our daughter. We earn by working here. We bought land and built a house. I am respected in society now.”
Hundreds of poor rural women artisans like Rupali are transforming their lives through this initiative. The centre is managed by Sr. Jacinta Costa of the Sisters of Charity of Sts. Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa, known as the Capitanio Sisters. She has served here for 11 years.
“People of the Rishi community (Hindu) and Muslim live here,” Sr. Jacinta told RVA News. “Most of them are farmers, and women usually stay at home. Seeing their poverty, the centre was started in 1974. Now, 150 women work here.”
In the beginning, the women produced embroidery and jute items. Later, they began crafting with local materials such as date leaves and grass. “We made some products and sent them to foreign buyers,” Sr. Jacinta said. “They liked them, and the demand increased.”
Today, local companies purchase these handmade products and export them abroad. “The women have become self-reliant,” she said. “They are empowered. They make decisions in their families. Before, they were silent. Many faced abuse. Now, they know their rights and raise their voices.”
“I take samples from buyers,” she added. “Our women make them with great care. We maintain quality, that’s why our products are in demand.”
Still, challenges persist. “After August 5, 2024, when the new government came, orders dropped,” Sr. Jacinta noted. “We had 300 workers; now only 150 remain.”
The women produce laundry baskets and fruit baskets made from date leaves and grass. Some of these are exported by local companies. “The women are happy,” Sr. Jacinta said. “Their lives have improved. I am happy to see their progress.”
The Valerian Handicraft Centre was founded by Fr. Valerian, an Italian missionary of the Society of St. Francis Xavier for Foreign Missions. He invited the Capitanio Sisters to manage the centre, ensuring its mission of service would continue.
In rural Bangladesh, women face numerous challenges. They earn 30–40% less than men for the same agricultural work, even though they contribute about 60% of the labor. Only 13% own land, and many face harassment in the workplace. Leadership roles for women are rare.
Yet, at the Sisters’ Handicraft Centre, they find dignity, safety, and hope. Here, they learn skills, earn income, and build better futures for themselves and their families, one handcrafted item at a time.
