Job creation necessary for rural women
Chairman of Rangpur-based research organization, North Bengal Institute of Development Studies, Dr Syed Samsuzzaman, said rural women achieved the success utilising various assistance provided by the government and non-government organisations. Hundreds of rural women are effectively contributing to the national development by cutting poverty after achieving self-reliance through various income generation activities in greater Rangpur region. They have achieved success through small-scale enterprises, business, animal husbandry, poultry, working as farm-labourers, sewing handloom garments, homestead gardening, farming of fruits, spices, fish and other farm activities.
Women constitute half of the total population of the country and development of the country greatly depends on them. But numerical strength will do little if their participation in the mainstream development activities is not ensured. Women are going ahead defying various limitations confronting them. Their exposure to the different sectors of life, particularly the RMG industry, has opened up a wide avenue for them. This has helped them achieve solvency and economic support to their families.
What is worrying is that scores of women are still suffering due to violence perpetrated on them by their male counterparts. Gender discrimination has bedeviled many a woman. Vast womenfolk in rural areas of the country are still leading sub-human life due to abysmal poverty, illiteracy, curse of early marriage, pangs of premature motherhood and dowry. Deserted by husbands, many hapless women have to earn for survival. In many cases women do their assigned tasks more sincerely and devotedly than their male counterparts. Still then, they become victims of disparity in matters of getting wages. This is very unfortunate. In many cases fair wages and remunerations elude them. It is the responsibility of the authorities concerned for ensuring proper wages for them.
The unemployed young women should be imparted training, particularly on computer operating and ICT, throughout the country for expanding their job opportunities. Those who are not educated should be given training on poultry farming, cattle rearing and similar other jobs. In this way the unemployment problem facing them can be solved greatly. Small women entrepreneurs should be provided with loans on easy terms and conditions. The NGOs, community leaders and human rights activists can come forward for ensuring large-scale participation of women in the development process.
