Palash, a trans woman, has employed 44 underprivileged transgender people in her handicrafts factory in Gopalganj, who are behind her successful venture that won several international and national awards.
Her Baby Handicrafts make exceptional and attractive gift items and ornaments, including handmade mirrors, chandeliers, and wooden jewelry for wholesale and retail customers. She also exports her products to Nepal.
A second-year law student at Islami University, Palash has reached out to the transgender community in Gopalganj and other districts, including Barisal and Pabna, to help them become entrepreneurs and economically solvent.
She wants that trans men and women, commonly known as Hijra in Bangladesh, overcome the stigma of being left out of the mainstream.
“Many have expressed interest in becoming entrepreneurs and coming out of economic hardship. I want to train them to become entrepreneurs and workers,” she told Dhaka Tribune at the Bscic Entrepreneurship Fair at the Municipal Park of Gopalganj city from February 8-18.
“I want to turn the transgender community of the country into a skilled workforce. I started working for that purpose.”
She suggests that Bscic (Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation) initiate training and entrepreneurship schemes targeting this community to bring them to the mainstream.
“If they get support, they will not depend on anyone else and play a role in keeping the wheels of the country's economy moving,” Palash said.
How it started
Palash said she had taken training on handicrafts making in Rajasthan, India. Later, in 2015, she organized some people from the transgender community of Kushtia city and established Baby Handicrafts.
“We imported raw materials from India and made shiny products combining different Bangladeshi raw materials. My product is uncommon, so demand is high.
“Now 44 transgender people are working in my company. I am paying them a daily salary. They no longer have to depend on anyone for their livelihood. They are living in a society with self-respect. They are now confident.”
Palash said her products are also exported to Nepal. “As an entrepreneur, I have awards at the international level twice and at the national level thrice. I regularly participated in SME fairs and won the best stall award numerous times,” she told Dhaka Tribune.
Gaurab Das, AGM of Bscic's Gopalganj district office, gave testimony for Palash, saying: “She is a successful entrepreneur from the gender-diverse population. Her products are very attractive.
“Palash has set an example as an entrepreneur. We applaud her initiatives. On behalf of the Bscic, I have informed the higher authorities to extend all possible cooperation to her and help her grow.”
