In Habirbari Union of Bhaluka, Mymensingh, thirty women meet every Wednesday inside the Women-Friendly Space. Most are unemployed, or work, or once worked, in nearby factories. Theirs is one of 64 savings groups now active across the area, home to 1,275 women members in total - and its story began the way many others do: with very little, and a great deal standing in the way. 

What They Carried 

Many had skills. Few had savings. 

Long before any group meeting began, painful truths were already part of daily life for these women. Many faced violence, disrespect, and financial dependency inside their own homes. Most had no savings, no assets, and no financial security of their own; some had a trade or a skill, but no confidence, no support, and no capital to put it to use. For years, these struggles were carried quietly, rarely spoken about beyond the home. 

Slowly, the women reached a realisation together: if they wanted independence, they needed financial strength. 

"We may not have much, but we can still start with something." 

How It Began 

The turning point came in October 2023, when CARE Bangladesh's Oporajita Project began its activities in the area. Facilitators started visiting homes, speaking with women who were unemployed, currently working in factories, or had once worked in them. Through these visits, women's groups slowly began to form. 

At the Women-Friendly Space, the sessions offered more than training - they offered a place to finally speak openly. 

"For many of us, this is the only place where someone listens to our problems seriously," said one group member. 

Built entirely on collective trust and shared responsibility, the group agreed on nine leadership positions - including president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, money counters, and key holders - along with group rules, accountability measures, and a rotational leadership system that changes every three months. No one person carries it all; everyone carries something. 

The group chose Suma Akter (Pseudo-name) as cashier, a local resident living close to the Women-Friendly Space. 

"You trusted me with your savings. I will protect that trust with honesty and dedication," she says. 

The Wednesday Ritual 

Every Wednesday, each member now contributes BDT 20. In the first week alone, they saved BDT 600 together, which the cashier carefully keeps until the savings grow enough to open a joint bank account. The amount remains small for now, but the women no longer measure success only in money. What they have truly built is trust, solidarity, and confidence.

The Journey Ahead 

Today, the members dream of expanding the savings initiative across Jamirdia, so that more women can begin their own journeys toward financial security. They hope to share their experience with future groups, and inspire other women to believe that change can begin with even the smallest contribution.

The Oporajita Project, supported by the H&M Foundation, aims to strengthen women's economic empowerment through entrepreneurship development, savings associations, financial literacy, and collective action. Under the initiative, Oporajita has formed 100 savings groups across four Women-Friendly Spaces, helping women build financial resilience, leadership, and long-term sustainability within their communities. 

This is only the beginning.