PHOTOBOOK

P H O T O B O O K

NARRATIVES OF BRAC SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME GRADUATES

This book is based on stories from the lives of ten BRAC Skills Development Programme graduates from selected population groups, identified as the most marginalised when it comes to inclusion through skills development. Over the course of the study, the research team spoke to ten graduates in rural and urban areas of Dhaka, Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions. The graduates were selected at random from the three pre-determined groups – those who identify themselves as transgender, persons with disabilities, and women in non-conventional trades.

People with disabilities face an array of cross-cutting challenges in trying to enter the labour force. One billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of disability, and disability prevalence is higher for developing countries. Persons with disabilities are more likely to experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes such as less education, poorer health outcomes, lower levels of employment, and higher poverty rates . Many are capable and want to work, yet employers view persons with disabilities as unable to work and workplace infrastructures are rarely enabling for them. In those cases where people with disabilities are employed, they still face obstacles in terms of accessibility or misconceptions and demeaning attitudes about their abilities. Women with disabilities are often more vulnerable in the workplace, and in society in general; along with the usual challenges that many working women face, disabilities add to their difficulties.

“I never imagined sewing for men… it seemed odd, when I thought about what I’d be doing – talking to unknown men coming to the tailoring shop, and most embarrassing of all I’d have to take their measurements.” - RITA

Nevertheless, Rita completed her training, and was offered a job at the shop. This gave her the ability to support her family. “The first time I gave my salary to my father, I felt really good,” she said.

“When I started at the beauty parlour customers were afraid to be served by me. Maybe they were assuming me to behave aggressively… that’s what people expect from a transgender person from hijra community. Now that fear has gone”

“The training was such a good thing for him. He learnt to do something and he can earn now. I never thought this could happen, because of his disability. Before he used to sit at home, he wouldn’t go anywhere. They gave him a wheelchair which was also a great help.”

As her training was coming to an end, Jhorna was coerced by her family into a second marriage. “I didn’t want to marry again. I was forced by my parents when they found a suitor because they thought no one else would marry a divorced woman like me,” she said.

Shumon feels the earning power, achieved through his training under BRAC Skills Development Programme, was vital in winning her approval. As for his wife, “My wife never paid attention to what people said about my disability. She says it is enough for her that I can earn and take care of her,” said Shumon.