A Journey from Surviving to Thriving

Have you ever imagined a girl married off at 15, trying to continue her education, only to face a miscarriage on the very day of her first public exam? Her husband, living with psychological disabilities, couldn’t offer the support she desperately needed. What happens to a girl like that?

This is the story of Ayesha Siddik from Jamalpur, in north-central Bangladesh, a story of quiet resilience and firm determination, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Despite the trauma and isolation, Ayesha didn’t give up. She found a lifeline through SWAPNO, a social empowerment initiative implemented by UNDP and supported by the Government of Bangladesh, the Embassy of Sweden, and Marico Bangladesh.  SWAPNO works to economically empower ultra-poor women through public works employment, life skills, and financial literacy training. Starting in public maintenance work, she received life skills and financial literacy training. Within a year, she saved from her modest salary and launched a small clothing business, stitching together not just garments, but a new future.

Now a mother to a 4-year-old son, Ayesha’s initiative is growing, and so are her dreams.

Recently, Ayesha was selected for SWAPNO’s formal sector residential training program, a two-month industrial skills course delivered in three phases over a year. SWAPNO now partners with RMG industries to create formal employment opportunities for women like Ayesha.

For 40 days, she has been learning sewing skills in a structured environment. Her confidence has soared, she can now sew t-shirts and other garments with ease. “Though my dreams were cut short, I will make sure my son achieves everything I could not,” she says with conviction. Ayesha represents nearly 25% of SWAPNO women currently enrolled in formal sector training, a growing cohort of women preparing to enter the workforce with new skills and renewed hope.

Ayesha is determined to secure a stable job in the garment sector once her training is complete. With SWAPNO’s support, she’s not just surviving, she’s thriving. Her story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, even the most difficult beginnings can lead to brighter futures.