We help empower women in rural Bangladesh with tailoring skills, boosting their independence and transforming communities.
It’s a pathway to independence, dignity, and community transformation.
As part of the ARISE program, JTI’s tailoring initiative equips women from vulnerable grower families with the tools, training, and resources they need to achieve economic empowerment. By providing these opportunities, we’re not just creating skilled workers—we’re building stronger communities and brighter futures.
Tailoring is a highly respected profession in Bangladesh, offering women a unique chance to balance work with household responsibilities. It requires minimal investment—often just a sewing machine—and caters to the needs of both rural and urban markets, ensuring steady demand. For many women, tailoring represents an opportunity to earn a sustainable income while fostering creativity and self-reliance.
Since its launch, the program has already achieved remarkable results:
240 women trained across six centers in 2023 and 540 women trained across 13 centers in 2024
195 graduates have started income-generating activities, earning an average of $43.36 over five months.
80% of participants now contribute regularly to their family’s income and their children’s education
The tailoring program combines technical skills with a comprehensive training model to address the unique challenges faced by women in rural communities. Highlights of the program include:
Integrated training curriculum: Covers sewing techniques, business skills, and women’s health and well-being, with a focus on 25 local designs and boutique tailoring.
Daily awareness sessions: Educates participants about child labor prevention and the importance of education.
Post-training support: Provides sewing machines, market linkages, and community support networks to help graduates establish their businesses.
Empowering community leaders: Encourages graduates to train others, fostering a multiplier effect that extends the program’s impact beyond individual participants.
Through this approach, the program not only boosts household incomes but also enhances decision-making power for women, reduces reliance on child labor, and strengthens community bonds.
With the income from tailoring, I can now support my family, make decisions, and, most importantly, afford the education and well-being my children deserve
The success of the tailoring program is just the beginning. The initiative is set to expand to 1,300 women across Bangladesh's. Beyond training, the program aims to establish women’s associations, create collaborative links with local markets and NGOs, and strengthen community-driven solutions to economic and social challenges.
At its core, this program reflects ARISE’s commitment to fostering economic independence and reducing systemic barriers like child labor. By investing in women, we’re investing in communities—breaking cycles of poverty, promoting education, and empowering the next generation.
Visit our ARISE website to learn more about our initiatives.