“I dream of buying a big place and making a big shop in the market.”

Arifa Begum, Transform Trade/GMB Akash

We are working to fight back against the fast fashion brands notorious for underpaying and exploiting their workers, but this does not mean that the entire garment industry needs to be condemned.

Tailoring and sewing are vital skills from which people can build businesses, supporting their families and strengthening their communities - people like Arifa.

"When I open my shop people bring their clothes to me for sewing. I have an employee who takes all the measurements. I feel great working here in my shop and making my own income."

Arifa the breadwinner of her household, and since training in sewing she has since opened a tailoring shop. Alongside other enterprises such as making and selling vermicomposting and keeping poultry, this business has helped her support her family.

"All I want now is to expand my shop and provide employment to more women so that three more Arifas like me can sit here with me and support their families.”

Arifa was initially hesitant to open a shop at the market, instead of within her own house, but was able to with the support of the collective of which she is secretary.

"l have already bought two electric sewing machines for 60 thousand takas. I dream of buying a big place and making a big shop in the market."