Bagdha Enterprises

Bagdha Enterprises provides employment for rural Bangladeshi women. Artisans initially made hemp and jute items, later expanding into other handicrafts. Women come together in a central location to clean, sort and spin hemp fibers into rope and twine. The twine may then be used to make products such as purses and bath mitts. Hemp twine is made in remote villages susceptible to flooding during the rainy season because of their location along the banks of the Ganges River. Many families depend solely on craft income to support themselves. An all-women management committee now directs the association’s business. Benefits to producers include medical assistance and a producer development fund.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) began Bagdha Enterprises in 1982 to create employment for rural women. From a remote village with few resources and women with no education or employment experience, Bagdha has transformed the lives of these women artisans, their families and community. Bagdha now exports its products through various fair trade organizations in a number of countries.

Ten Thousand Villages buys hemp and jute products from Bagdha Enterprises.