Published: 11:20 PM, 03 August 2026
BNF, NUS empower women entrepreneurs with skills, seed capital
A two-day training programme titled "Small Business Management and Successful Entrepreneurship Development", funded by the Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF) and organized by Narie Unnayan Shakti (NUS), concluded successfully on Sunday at a training centre in Khilgaon, Dhaka.
The training, held on August 1–2, aimed to equip low-income, less-educated and aspiring women entrepreneurs with practical business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to help them achieve economic self-reliance through self-employment.
Managing Director of the Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF), Md. Shahjahan, attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest. The event was chaired by Dr. Afroza Parveen, Executive Director of Narie Unnayan Shakti (NUS).
Among the special guests were Mostafa Kamal, Deputy General Manager of BNF; Nusrat Sultana Afroz, Executive Chairperson of Young Women for Development Rights and Climate; Mariko Adachi, an NUS volunteer from Japan and Mohammad Yasin Patwari.
During the closing session, participating women shared their economic hardships and personal experiences. They said the closure of garment factories has left thousands of women facing severe financial uncertainty, forcing many to seek alternative livelihoods under difficult circumstances. Some participants expressed concern that extreme economic distress is pushing certain women toward exploitative and high-risk occupations, including sex work, describing the situation as a matter of grave concern for women's dignity, independence and the country's overall development.
The programme focused on strengthening participants' entrepreneurial capacity through training on business planning, financial management, market analysis and small business operations. The two-day workshop also covered practical topics such as bookkeeping, accounting, marketing strategies and customer service.
At the conclusion of the programme, 18 selected women entrepreneurs received seed capital to start or expand their small businesses. They will also receive mentoring support for one year to help ensure the sustainability and growth of their enterprises.
The beneficiaries expressed optimism that the financial assistance would enable them to increase their income, improve their families' financial security and contribute positively to their local economies.
Speakers at the event stressed that sustainable women's economic empowerment requires continuous skills development, entrepreneurship training and access to financial support. They noted that such initiatives play a vital role in fostering self-reliance, creating sustainable employment opportunities and accelerating the country's socio-economic development.
They also urged the government to adopt timely and effective policies to ensure women have greater access to capital, training and institutional support. In particular, they called for targeted employment programmes for disadvantaged women, easier access to affordable financing and the creation of safe and secure working environments.
The speakers warned that without prompt and coordinated intervention, the growing number of unemployed women could face heightened economic vulnerability, leading to broader social challenges.
