In the tranquil rural villages of Kushtia, Gazipur and Birishiri in Bangladesh, 140 women are involved in creating exquisite items using the traditional skills of Nakshikantha embroidery. Patience, perfection and creativity are necessary attributes for every artisan who hand works this highly skilled embroidery. By securing markets for their embroidery work, the artisans, many whom are single, divorced or widowed are able to earn an income which is vital in their struggle to survive.
The Fair Trade organization SHOHOJOGITA, a Bangladesh word which means “helping each other”. The principal vision is to help the rural poor, widowed, divorced and helpless women by creating employment for them. SHOHOJOGITA dreams to establish a free society from exploitation, oppression and injustice as well as a society, where each individual will be able to live in peace and harmony.As a Fair Trade organization, we provide the following benefits and assistance:
Emergency medical treatment support /Advance payment access for the producers/Interest-free loan access/100% bonus wages for artisans (one month salary)/An extra motivational prize for the best performer of every month/Wages are paid the last working day of each month/A safe working environment with sufficient lighting, ventilation, sanitation and drinking water, First aid box/Study support of the poor artisans/Staff skill development training/Celebration annual cultural days for staff, artisans and their families on the occasion of Shohojogita’s Birthday, Women International Day and Fair Trade day.