Farzana Munni Nipa’s story is about resilience and determination. Once, her husband used to fish in the Kohelia River, but fishing was no longer an option as the river silted up. Now, he works as a day laborer, while Nipa stepped up to support their household by weaving traditional Nakshi Kantha (embroidered quilts).
Despite the significant value these handcrafted quilts hold in the market, Nipa reveals that the returns she receives rarely reflect her hard work.
“Creating Nakshi Kantha requires immense time and effort, but the prices we get are inadequate,” she shares. Even when sold through various organizations, the compensation often falls short of what the craft deserves.
Yet, Nipa remains undeterred. Through her intricate creations, she has forged a new identity rooted in perseverance and creativity.
Every day, she finds fresh hope and strength to navigate life’s challenges, supporting her family and inspiring other women in her community to rise above adversity.
By Rajin Saleh