Jhorna strengthening women's voices in her community

Empowered by World Vision’s women leadership capacity development support, Jannatul Ferdous Jhorna plays an active part in her community’s development process and has been recently elected as Woman Councilor of Joypurhat Municipality representing 16 target villages including 4,510 households.

World Vision Bangladesh is supporting community women through leadership development programs in Joypurhat which teach women how they can become leaders, transform their communities and claim their rights. Jannatul Ferdous Jhorna, 49, is one of the participants of that program. 

“Before I was merely a housewife, stayed at home and looked after my children. I was not brave. Now I am a leader in my village, I can help my community to solve problems and improve our livelihoods” Jannatul Ferdous explains.

Photo: Jhorna is helping immunisation program

She is very much concerned about the women and girl child of this area. To encourage women she has started a small cloth shop besides her house. She has a dream to make a mini garments where women will get opportunity to work. “Through these development initiatives we can help ourselves and our women in the community”, Jannatul Ferdous says assertively.

Jannatul involved with World Vision Bangladesh by forming Development Group (DG) at community level in 1999. At the very beginning of 2000, she joined as the first women development group member. As one of the DG members, she makes some difference than others in the area of leadership and women empowerment. She used to speak other women about their rights and participation in economical activities.

Jannatul Ferdous is very much thankful to World Vision Bangladesh to guide, support and trained her to become a successful leader and women advocate.