Empowered women truly empower others
On 1st August 2025, Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO) organized the closing ceremony of its impactful project titled “Leadership Development of Tea Garden Women Workers on Their Rights (LDTWWR)” at a Hotel in Sylhet city. The project, supported by OXFAM and co-funded by the European Union, aimed to empower tea garden women workers through legal awareness, leadership training, and community mobilization.
Over the past year, this initiative worked directly with marginalized women from Doldoli, Hiluachera and Kewachera tea gardens in Sylhet to strengthen their understanding of rights and build their confidence as grassroots leaders.The closing ceremony was a powerful and emotional event, attended by ECDO staff, board members, project participants, media representatives, and community members.
ECDO’s Executive Director Mr. Lakshmikanta Singh welcomed everyone with an inspiring speech, reflecting on the journey of the project and the resilience of the women who overcame deep rooted barriers. He emphasized that although the project is ending, the leadership it has cultivated will continue to grow within the tea garden communities. Board President Ms. Minoti Devi, Vice President Mr. Shankar Singha, and Treasurer Mr. Jugeshwar Singha Apu were also present and shared their thoughts, commending the courage and commitment of the trained women.
One of the most significant moments of the ceremony was the speech by Shandha Rani Bhowmik, President of “Amrai Parbo”, a network of tea garden women workers. spoke about her transformation from a silent laborer to a vocal community leader. “We didn’t even know we had rights. Now, we not only know, but we are ready to fight for them,” she said, receiving enthusiastic applause. Journalists Shakila Boby and Mamun Hossain, who followed the project’s progress, also attended and highlighted the importance of such grassroots initiatives in driving social change.
Throughout the project, ECDO conducted a wide range of activities, including workshops on legal rights and leadership, roundtable discussions with community stakeholders, and awareness campaigns. A research study titled “Exploring the Practice of Legal Rights and Challenges among Female Tea Garden Workers” was also carried out to better understand the social and legal realities faced by these women. One unique aspect of the project was the formation of a community drama group that performed plays based on real-life struggles of tea garden workers, using storytelling as a powerful tool to engage and educate the community.
The closing event was more than a formality it was a celebration of growth and unity. Trained participants shared their experiences, received certificates, and participated in cultural performances that reflected the rich heritage of the tea garden communities. A moving performance by the drama group depicted the everyday discrimination faced by women workers and the courage they gained through the project. Their voices, once silent, now rang loud with pride and purpose.
Many participants expressed that this was the first time they had felt seen and heard. The newly formed groups will serve as a lasting platform for these women to continue advocating for their rights and supporting one another.
As the ceremony came to a close, both ECDO officials and participants reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the work. While the project may have reached its end, the spirit it has ignited will live on. ECDO pledged to remain engaged with the women’s network and seek future opportunities to support their leadership journey. The organization extended its heartfelt thanks to all project participants, the local community, media partners, OXFAM, and the European Union for their trust and support.
The closing ceremony of the LDTWWR project was not just an end it was a new beginning for a group of women who now believe in their own voices. Through unity, awareness, and leadership, they are ready to lead change in their communities, proving that empowered women truly empower others.
