Home ›› 01 Aug 2022 ›› Nation
Many women residing in the char areas in Shariakandi upazila by the Jamuna river find self-reliance through training as vehicle mechanics and other similar fields of work.
The underprivileged women of the erosion-prone riverbank villages are receiving training from Sariakandi Maa Fatema (RA) Women’s Training Centre in Bogura Sadar and finding employment as motorcycle mechanics, electric mechanics and are driving battery-run auto-rickshaws. Besides, some have found employment in private organisations while many women have their own workshops.
Sufia felt like she had become a burden to her family after her divorce and wanted to become self-sufficient. She received training as a motorcycle mechanic and now provides financial support to her family.
Amina, Maryam, Jhinook, and Altafun, like Sufia, have also found financial independence with training in various fields of work.
There was scrutiny as to whether or not women can work as vehicle mechanics, but now these trained women are trusted by many.
Motorcycle owners of Sariakandi upazila Hanif and Abu Munsi said the female workers always handle their vehicles with care and provide thorough services in less time than male mechanics.
Some women of the upazila received training in driving battery-run auto-rickshaw and earn their livelihood by driving the vehicles.
Sariakandi Maa Fatema (RA) Women’s Training Centre provides training in many fields of work, including vehicle and electrical mechanics. Many women now have their own workshops in different fields or buy auto-rickshaws with loans from banks. Underprivileged women from different districts of the country also receive this training.
Establishment and statistics
Sariakandi Maa Fatema (RA) Women’s Training Centre was established on January 1, 2000. In 2006, it received government recognition and was included as a part of the Department of Women Affairs.
In 2014, former MP Abdul Mannan inaugurated a battery-run three-wheeler driving and motorcycle mechanics training course in the training centre.
In 2014, out of 119 women who completed training, 53 got jobs. In 2015, 182 women completed training and 132 got jobs. In 2016, 192 women completed training and 144 got jobs. In 2018, 138 women completed training and 110 got jobs. In 2019, 279 women received training and 210 got jobs. In 2020, 147 women completed training and 121 got jobs.
Many underprivileged women have become self-reliant by taking part in training. So far about 1,500 women have received training from the centre.
In 2019, 92 women received motorcycle service mechanics training and 82 of them are currently employed. In the same year, 95 women participated in consumer electronics training and 67 of them are currently employed. Almost all of them are employed by Pran RFL Group and Dutch Bangla Bank.
The trainees get an allowance of Tk 900 along with free accommodation and food during the three-month training period. The centre currently has 13 employees, including one administrative officer.
The training centre stopped its activities in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In January 2022, they resumed training on a small scale.
Fifty underprivileged women of rural areas are currently receiving training here in three trades – motorcycle mechanic, consumer electronics and electrician. Among them, 10 are in motorcycle mechanics course, 20 are in consumer electronics course and 20 are in electricians’ training course.
This correspondent spoke to Zahida Sultana of Sonatola, Seema Akter of Sariakandi, and Sufia Sultana of Shibganj who received training at the training centre and now work as motorcycle mechanics.
Namita Marti, a consumer electronics trainee from Chapainawabganj, said, “I came here to become self-reliant without being a burden to my parents and society. I want to financially support my family.”
Mariam Khatun of Chandanbaisha area of Sariakandi said, “Training in driving techniques, traffic, and minor issues are provided in the driving course. Now I can support myself by driving a battery-run auto-rickshaw.”
Senior instructors of the institution said battery-run three-wheeler motor driving and motorcycle service mechanics trade courses were introduced along with various trades to make underprivileged women employable.
Shamsul Tabrez, a senior instructor of the institution, said accommodation arrangements are also provided along with the training.
“This system is for hands-on teaching so that there is no negligence. All those who have been trained so far have established themselves well in their respective areas,” he said.
Sariakandi Upazila Women’s Affairs Officer Laila Parveen Nahar said underprivileged rural women from many parts of the country have become self-reliant after receiving training here.
“Due to a limited number of seats per course, we are not able to train more women. If we receive more support from the government, we can extend the training operations,” she added.
