Natural disasters such as flooding and low employment opportunities in rural areas have increased the rate of urbanisation within Bangladesh. It has been estimated that as many as 400,000 children could be living in the slums and on the streets of Dhaka. These children are often denied their right to a basic education, and are forced to grow up on the edges of society.
Insufficient training opportunities and the poor economic situation of parents within the slums of Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka mean that many teenage girls are often forced to support themselves by working in unskilled positions such as domestic servants, rubbish collectors or manual labourers to break bricks.
They are often exposed to poor and unsafe working conditions, are frequently expected to work from dawn through to dusk and where physical and sexual abuse by their male counterparts can be just one of the many dangers that they face.
These girls have aspirations, as do teenagers the world over, to better their lives and make a contribution to their community.
"After completing my education at Plan's operated vocational training center, I have managed a good job in a good environment which I dreamt at early years of my life. The money I am getting from the job is helping me and my family a lot. Now I have a respectful life and I can look forward. I am very grateful to Plan because I had no other alternative. I hope Plan will continue its support till we can manage it by ourselves as it is helping many other adolescent girls from my community," - Lipi Akther, Graduate in Electronics Technology Trade.
This project will help 240 girls to gain the skills they need to change their lives for the better. By offering training in electronic technology, industrial sewing, embroidery and Jori-Chumki (ornamental dress making), these girls will be given the opportunity to start a career and get jobs with better wages, better prospects and safer working conditions.
A placement officer, from the Bangladesh Underprivileged Children Education Programme (UCEP), will help graduates to find work. The girls will have the opportunity of attending job fairs, going to meetings and workshops with potential employers, as well as being offered advice and guidance on setting up their own business.
Without any training these teenage girls from the slums stand little chance of improving their lives in the future. By donating to the Girls Fund, you are helping to provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to work their way out of poverty.
