38-year-old Jahanara Begum, hailing from the village of Dokkhin Doulatpur in Cumilla, embodies the triumph of the human spirit amidst adversity. Looking back on her journey, she shares, “I went for primary education but could not continue due to financial hardship as my father’s earnings were not enough to bear the cost of our education.” Despite this setback, she found solace in the rhythms of the countryside, working alongside her father in the fields and gaining invaluable insights into farming. “Holding my father’s hand, I learned about farming,” she reminisces.
Marriage brought new responsibilities and thrust Jahanara into the role of a provider for her family. “After getting married, I had to take responsibility for my family again,” she recalls. With her husband’s minimal earnings, they cultivated vegetables for sustenance before venturing into paddy farming through leased land. This period was marked by endurance as they faced the challenges of rural life with determination and fortitude.
“One day while going to my field, I got acquainted with Ms. Chinu Rani, and later she advised me to do some savings,” Jahanara recounts. This chance encounter sparked a transformative journey towards empowerment. Accepting the concept of financial empowerment through the Shomiti women’s enterprise, Jahanara began contributing a modest sum monthly, laying the groundwork for a brighter future for her family.
Jahanara also faced the scourge of diseases plaguing her crops. However, a training session at Shikkha Shastha Unnayan Karzakram (SHISUK) proved to be a crucial turning point. “One day Chinu Rani took me to an organization called SHISUK for training, and I learned a lot about the effects of insecticides and pesticides,” she shares. With this newfound knowledge, she transitioned to eco-friendly farming practices, minimized pesticide usage, and enhanced the quality of her produce.
Jahanara diversified her endeavours with poultry farming. “Today, I have no difficulties. My unemployed husband works in the fish project, and my elder son works there as well,” she shares. Her dedication to her family’s well-being is evident as she balances multiple responsibilities with grace and determination.
In the future, Jahanara wishes to build a commercial poultry farm. “I thank SHISUK for teaching me how to save and achieve something big from a small step,” she expresses with gratitude. Her dreams reflect her unwavering determination to break barriers and achieve greater self-sufficiency for her family.
Amidst the symphony of nature, Jahanara’s story echoes the resilience and tenacity of rural women. Through her journey of empowerment and perseverance, she inspires others to overcome obstacles and embrace the promise of a brighter tomorrow.###
Women In Agroecology: Towards Pesticide-Free Communities is a continuing storytelling initiative of PAN Asia Pacific and its partners to document stories of rural women who are survivors of pesticide poisoning and/or making the transition to agroecology.
Our contributing partners for the second installation: Shikkha Shastha Unnayan Karzakram (SHISUK), Bangladesh; Serikat Perempuan Indonesia (SERUNI); Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Development Association (SAEDA), Laos; and Research Centre for Gender, Family and Environment in Development (CGFED), Vietnam
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