In celebration of International Women’s Day, Islamic Relief brings you the story of Saima, a young woman whose journey serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength and determination that women around the world exhibit in the face of adversity.
25-year-old Saima lives with her mother and brother in a small, rented room under Mirpur 11 rail station in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka.
The area is populated by a marginalised Urdu-speaking community, often referred to as Biharis. Living in cramped settlement camps, they struggle to find formal work and so remain trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Saima’s family struggle to make ends meet. With high rent, they cannot always afford enough food to eat. Her mother, Peary, suffers from severe kidney disease, requiring regular medication which further complicates their financial situation. Her brother Joinal is the family’s sole breadwinner, but work is not always available.
A disrupted education
Saima’s father left the family when she was a young girl, and her mother’s illness meant that Saima could no longer attend school as she had to help at home. Unable to pay tuition fees or buy necessary supplies, Saima’s education came to an abrupt halt, and she was married off.
“I dreamed of starting a happy life with my husband. But happiness was not mine. My husband went abroad and stopped communicating with me. We divorced.
“Now I am staying with my mother and brother and hoping for a better future,” Saima says, tears welling in her eyes.
Saima did not give up. She began tutoring to earn some money and even started her schooling again with the little income she made, despite her already busy schedule.
“My difficulties start with my mother’s care. Besides that, I must do all the household chores alone. Then I try to study and go for tuition. Sometimes I must rush to the hospital with my ailing mother. These days are very tough for me to manage,” she says.
Upskilling a community
In 2023, Islamic Relief launched a project in Bangladesh, focused on increasing youth employment among marginalised and vulnerable Biharis. 400 young people are receiving training and skills development in various vocational and technical fields – including Saima.
“This project gives me the privilege to learn automobile driving, which was my childhood dream,” Saima says.
Though she was unable to attend all the training sessions, Saima was given the opportunity to attend the training at times she could manage, allowing her to complete her course.
Her dedication didn’t go unnoticed, and she was soon offered a position as a driving instructor. “We have a lot of female trainees who are not comfortable with male instructors. We observed that Saima is fit for this position,” said Muhammad Rabiul Islam, the owner of Takwa driving school.
In January 2025, Saima began working as a driving instructor. She is content with what she earns as a beginner and considers this opportunity a blessing from Allah.
“I don’t care about the negative comments or looks from others. I know I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just working to earn my living. It’s time to move forward, not look back at my past,” she says with confidence.
“I dream of developing my career as a lady driver because I know there are many reputed organisations that hire female drivers. I hope to be a part of that,” she says. She also emphasised the importance of continuing support for underprivileged families like hers, providing them with hope for a better future.
Despite the numerous challenges in her life – from growing up in poverty, dealing with her mother’s illness, and her education being cut short – Saima’s resilience shines through. As well as working to build a better life for herself, she is also paving the way for other women in her community to follow in her footsteps.
To mark International Women’s Day, please help Islamic Relief continue to support women like Saima by donating today.
