As many as 7,776 helpless women of 72 unions in the district are going to get jobs of their choice through the joint funds of the government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Aktar Hossain Azad formally inaugurated the project in the union parishad premises on August 16.

The 18-month job has been created for 2592 widows, divorcees, and wives of disabled men through Strengthening Women's Ability for Productive New Opportunities (SWAPNO) project provided by the government and UNDP.

SWAPNO is a pilot project based in 72 unions of Kurigram and 52 unions of Satkhira district and it will continue for five years till December 2019.

A total of Tk 853 crore and 40 lakh has been estimated for the project, where the government is providing 25% ( Tk 213,35,44,000) and UNDP 75% (Tk 640,04,56,000). 

According to sources, the women will be trained up on their choice options to create permanent income sources. Besides, they will get training on local leadership, primary education, gender development, small business management and primary child education during the 18-month job period.

During the period, works of maintaining and saving the government assets will be done by the beneficiaries. Each of them will get Tk 6,000 per month for this.

Sreemoti Moina, 48, wife of a physically challenged man of Rasulpur village in the union, said, "For seven years, I am struggling to run my family by making fishing net. Now I am happy to be included with the 18-month job scheme."

Ahmadul Kabir Akon, district manager of the project, said at the first phase, 2,592 people will get jobs for 18 months for monthly salary of Tk 6,000 each.