Sitting on the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh shares its borders with India, Nepal and Burma. With a population of 152 million, Bangladesh is the world’s 8th most populated country. It is also a very densely populated country, with a poverty rate of 31.5%. After 15 years under military rule, democracy was restored in Bangladesh in 1990, however the political scene remains volatile. Girls now outnumber boys in primary schools because of effective education policy that has been implemented. Yet, Bangladesh has the highest rate of marriage in the world for girls under 15. In 2013, thousands of workers were killed when the Rana Plaza building collapsed, which has led to some progress in ensuring better safety regulations in garment factories.
with a 152 million
population, Bangladesh is the world's 8th most populated country.
highest marriage rate
in the world for girls under 15
From Bangladesh: Meet the Artisans
Basha’s high quality, unique kantha products are handmade by at-risk women and survivors of human sex trafficking in Bangladesh. The women artisans complete a training and rehabilitation program prior to beginning work. Basha provides weekly trainings, including literacy and life skills programs. The artisans also receive medical support, counseling, and day care assistance for their children.
Corr Jute empowers destitute, rural women in Bangladesh through handicraft production. The women artisans, who are mostly illiterate, make beautiful handicrafts with local materials during free time between household activities. Corr Jute not only creates market access, but also provides job training and develops leadership skills. The women are able to supplement their marginal family income, contributing towards better living conditions.
Each baby rattle is handmade in Bangladesh by a female artisan working with Pebble. Pebble began as a tiny non-profit, teaching young women how to knit in a spare room. It has since grown into a large-scale place of employment for female artisans, dedicated to providing sustainable work for young women of rural Bangladesh. The women of Pebble can work from their rural communities, eliminating the need to migrate in search of employment. This allows families to stay together, and support themselves with another source of income.