When her family had been suffering severe financial hardship 13 years ago, she enrolled on a training course of Jatiya Mahila Sangstha (JMS) in order to become self-reliant and support the family.

After completing the course on business management in 1994, Razia started her own business. She collected items of handicrafts from women in the neighbouring areas and sold them to the JMS in the capital.

"The training has boosted my confidence, which helped me expand my business gradually. Now I have a production house, 'Ghoroa Kutir Shilpa'," she said, adding that "I started my business with only Tk 2,000, but now I earn Tk 10,000 monthly."

"Although my husband has been sick for several months now, I can maintain my family with my income," Razia said while sharing her experiences at a workshop titled 'Economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs of Bangladesh' yesterday.

Some 85 successful women entrepreneurs from across the country took part in the daylong workshop organised by the Jatiya Mahila Sangstha at its auditorium in the city under the 'Promotion of Women Entrepreneurs for Economic Empowerment' project.

Women and Children Affairs Adviser Geeteara Safiya Chowdhury was present at the inaugural session of the workshop as the chief guest.

She listened to women entrepreneurs, their problems and also shared her own experiences in entrepreneurship.

Women can become successful entrepreneurs, she said, adding that they would have to prove it through hard work, honesty and courage.

She also called on the media to highlight the positive image of women to help them.

It is not possible for the government to provide employment opportunities for 70 million women in the country, she said, adding that women themselves should come forward, form co-operatives and set up sales centres in different places to become self-reliant.

The 'Promotion of Women Entrepreneurs for Economic Empowerment Project' would create opportunities for small entrepreneurs, said Begum Rokeya Sultana, secretary of the women and children affairs ministry.

The project that was launched in 2003 has already imparted training to some 1125 disadvantaged women and will train 1300 more women on business management, catering, fashion designing, beautification and interior designing.

The aim of this project is to ensure women empowerment in the long run, said Project Director Reza-e-Azam Khan.

JMS Executive Director Prof Firoza Begum presided over the workshop.