Overcoming social barriers to transform her community: Hena Akhter Rupa’s powerful evolution

Hena Akhter Rupa, a 29-year-old grassroots leader from Hazaribagh, Dhaka, has been deeply involved in her community's struggles. Her mother was a central leader of the slum federation, and Rupa’s journey as a leader of home-based workers (HBWs) began when she became part of the Coalition of the Urban Poor (CUP) as an adolescent.

At 16, Rupa's education was cut short by an early marriage, a common occurrence in her community. However, her resolve to continue her education remained unwavering. Despite the challenges of being a young mother to two children, Rupa resumed her studies. She began working as a home-based worker, which allowed her to support her family financially while contributing to her community.

Rupa’s involvement with CUP deepened over the years. She participated in various training sessions supported by the HomeNet South Asia (HNSA), including leadership, gender-based violence prevention, and skill development programs. These opportunities helped her grow from an HBW group member to a cluster leader for the Jatrabari area. Today, she is a grassroots trainer, an entrepreneur specialising in block batik printing and handicrafts, and a central leader in the HBW movement in Bangladesh.

Her work is not just limited to her business ventures. Rupa has become an advocate and organiser for HBWs, helping over 500 workers organise and empowering another 500 to join the movement. She also actively participates in national and international forums, raising her voice for the rights of HBWs.

Rupa’s most significant contribution has been establishing a community-based daycare service for HBW mothers in her cluster. In 2023, recognising the need for childcare support, she collaborated with local leaders and the slum federation to create a centre that allows HBW mothers to work while their children are cared for.

In addition, Rupa has been instrumental in preventing early marriages and supporting victims of violence. She and other cluster leaders actively raise awareness and take action to combat gender-based violence in their community. Her efforts extend beyond immediate crisis intervention – she has established referral linkages with health service centres, birth registration offices, and social safety net services to ensure that HBW families receive the support they need.

Rupa’s dedication to education extends to future generations as well. She helped motivate a local organisation to establish a preschool centre for HBW children, which has since been linked to formal schooling, ensuring a better future for them.

Despite her challenges, including balancing her role as a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and community leader, Rupa continues to push boundaries. Her husband, also a home-based worker specialising in digital printing, supports her work, and they contribute to their family’s livelihood.

Over the last five years, Rupa’s involvement with the Power Up program, facilitated by HNSA and WIEGO and supported by Comic Relief, has further enhanced her skills and confidence, empowering her to take on even more responsibilities within the HBW community. She is now recognised as a skilled leader, capable of representing HBWs on national and international platforms. 

Hena Akhter Rupa’s journey is a testament to the power of community, education, and resilience. Her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of home-based workers in Bangladesh has made her a beacon of hope and a powerful advocate for justice and equality.