Once confined to household chores and family responsibilities, women in Bhojpur are now earning an income through their own skills. Skill-based training programs such as sewing and tailoring, Dhaka weaving, off-season vegetable farming, bamboo stool making, pickle production, and vermicompost (earthworm compost) production — conducted at the rural municipality and ward levels — have created new opportunities for women to become self-employed and entrepreneurial.
According to Vice Chairperson Rama Devi Rai, these skill development trainings are being provided under the “Women Targeted Program” to make women both self-reliant and professional. She said that after training in Dhaka weaving, sewing and tailoring, pickle making, off-season vegetable farming, goat rearing, and pig farming, many women have started their own enterprises.
Vice Chairperson Rai further mentioned that the rural municipality has been providing encouragement and necessary support to women who wish to start their own businesses after acquiring these skills. Last fiscal year, for instance, 27 women were trained in pickle production, utilizing locally available raw materials to foster entrepreneurship.
Samjhana Rai, a resident of Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality–4, Nagi, shared that after receiving pickle-making training, she started her own pickle business in her village. She said the skills have made her livelihood easier. “After learning the skill, I began making pickles at home,” she said. “It has helped me become self-reliant. I’ve also been sharing what I learned with others to inspire them.”
Women from the Dalit community, identified as interested in skill training, were provided training in bamboo stool making, which has now enabled them to become self-employed. Similarly, 19 mothers’ groups in Pauwadungma Rural Municipality have begun producing and selling vermicompost fertilizer.
Vice Chairperson Jyotsna Rai of Pauwadungma Rural Municipality said that under the “Vice Chairperson Self-Reliance Program,” a Women Development Board has been established to connect women with entrepreneurship and implement various related activities.
Women from Ram Prasad Rai Rural Municipality–8, Khoksik have also ventured into entrepreneurship after receiving skill-based training. Chandrakala Rai, a local woman, is now actively involved in the sewing and tailoring business. “The skill training provided at the ward level was a great opportunity for housewives like us,” she said. “It has helped us manage household expenses and become self-reliant.”
Chandrakala added that, besides becoming self-employed, the training has boosted her confidence. “It used to be difficult for us to travel elsewhere for training,” she said. “Now that we can learn and start businesses in our own village, we’re truly happy.”
Local residents say that the continuous efforts of local governments and the active participation of women have created new examples of self-reliance and entrepreneurship across the villages of Bhojpur.
