BARISHAL :  Entrepreneur Papri Rahman has emerged as a symbol of determination and women's empowerment through her organization, Troiyee, based in the Nazir Pool area of Barishal city.

Papri Rahman began her entrepreneurial journey in 2019 after observing the growing popularity of online businesses on Facebook. With limited resources but strong determination, she launched an online venture from her home.

Initially focusing on clothing, boutique products and creative designs, she gradually expanded her business to include beauty parlour services, tailoring and the production of sanitary napkins.

Today, Troiyee has become a major platform for women's employment and skill development. The organization currently employs around 40 to 45 women and five men, while approximately 260 women are receiving various forms of vocational training. Papri has invested between Tk 12 lakh and Tk 15 lakh in developing the organization.

Notably, Troiyee is the first organization in Barishal to manufacture sanitary napkins locally. Through specialized training programmes, Papri has created employment opportunities for many women and equipped them with practical skills to become financially independent.

Speaking about her journey, Papri Rahman said, "I started my business in 2019 with only Tk 5,000 and a simple online business plan. With support from my family and various NGOs, I was able to expand my work and establish this organization. If the government provides more support to women entrepreneurs, many more women will be able to build successful futures."

Among those contributing to Troiyee's success is Farzana Binte Kabir, who has worked alongside Papri from the beginning. Together, they have built an institution that has earned the trust and confidence of countless women in the region.

Many beneficiaries of the organization have successfully established themselves through its training programmes. Ishrat Jahan Jerin, 22, now works at a beauty parlour after receiving training from Troiyee and earns around Tk 10,000 per month. Similarly, 24-year-old Mukta earns between Tk 8,000 and Tk 10,000 a month by producing sanitary napkins at the organization.

The success stories of women like Jerin and Mukta reflect the broader impact of Troiyee, which has become a beacon of hope and self-reliance for many women in Barishal.

Commenting on the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, Ebaidul Haque Chan, president of the Barishal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the need for accessible financing.

"There is still no adequate capital support system for educated women entrepreneurs. We have repeatedly appealed to the government to provide low-interest loans to women. When women are empowered, families prosper, and ultimately the nation progresses," he said.

Barishal Deputy Commissioner Khairul Alam Sumon highlighted ongoing government initiatives aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs.

"The government is actively working to empower women through training and development programmes. Various initiatives are being implemented to help women become self-reliant and take leadership roles in society," he said.