Founder & Chairperson, GrihaSukhan Women’s Association
Rima Zulfiquer is a pioneering social entrepreneur, women’s empowerment specialist, trainer, and changemaker whose lifelong dedication has transformed more than 87,000 women across Bangladesh.
She is the Founder & Chairperson of GrihaSukhan Women’s Association, one of the country’s most impactful and community-rooted organizations working for women’s economic independence, skill development, and social up-liftment.
Her journey is one of resilience, passion, and an unshakeable belief that “every woman carries the light of strength within her.”
Born in 1963 in Munshiganj, Rima grew up in a warm and culturally rich family.
Raised as the youngest child of her parents, she was the apple of everyone’s eye—lively, cheerful, and deeply attached to family values.
Her mother, a talented cook and artisan, influenced young Rima profoundly.
By assisting her mother in stitching, crafting, and household creativity, she unknowingly absorbed the essence of craftsmanship, patience, and responsibility that would later define her mission.
Marriage brought her to Narayanganj, Chattogram, and Khulna where her husband’s job took their family. Despite managing her home, Rima continued practicing sewing, cooking, craftwork, and design — quickly gaining admiration from neighbors who sought her help and expertise.
These early experiences planted the seed for the dream that would later become GrihaSukhan.
Rima Zulfiquer completed her formal education in Munshiganj:
Beyond academics, she received extensive training in:
Her training foundation helped her build a strong, structured model for women’s development in Bangladesh.
In 1990, standing at the crossroads of hope and hardship, Rima Zulfiquer took a bold step that would change not only her life but the lives of thousands of women across Bangladesh. With only 12 women trainees, 12,000 taka, and an unshakable belief in women’s strength, she laid the foundation of GrihaSukhan Women’s Association.
What began as a tiny initiative inside her home—a few sewing machines, some fabrics, and the dreams of struggling women—slowly grew into a movement. These 12 women were not just trainees; they were mothers, widows, abandoned wives, and survivors of deep social and economic challenges. Rima didn’t just teach them skills; she gave them what society had long taken away—confidence, dignity, and the courage to stand again.
Her first setup was incredibly small:
a mini garment space with sewing and embroidery machines where saree design, household crafts, and handmade goods were produced. She traveled from fair to fair, carrying bags full of products in her own hands, trying to create a small market for these women’s work.
The beginning was full of difficulties—lack of funds, limited resources, no exposure, and constant societal pressure. But Rima’s determination was stronger than every obstacle. She believed:
“If a woman can earn, she can rewrite her destiny.”
With support from her husband and her own relentless dedication, GrihaSukhan slowly transformed from a small training room into a recognized platform of empowerment, skill development, and entrepreneurship.
This humble beginning in 1990 eventually evolved into a 35-year legacy that has trained and uplifted more than 87,000 women, leaving an impact that continues to grow every day.
“Train to Earn and Empower Women”
She began with a small mini-garment setup containing:
Her initial trainees were underprivileged or financially vulnerable women who needed a safe path toward economic survival.
With passion, discipline, and the support of her husband, she built a platform that grew into a nationwide symbol of women’s empowerment.
Today, GrihaSukhan stands as a 35-year legacy in Bangladesh’s women development sector.
Key Activities Include:
To date, 87,000+ women have been trained and thousands have become self-reliant entrepreneurs.
Rima Zulfiquer has worked with:
International & Government Organizations
Impact Highlights
Her model ensures training → production → marketing → income → confidence → empowerment.
Rima has taken Bangladeshi women’s handcrafted products to prestigious international platforms, including:
She has showcased Bangladeshi:
Her international presence not only empowers women but also elevates Bangladesh’s cultural identity globally.
Rima Zulfiquer is widely recognized for her exceptional contribution to women’s empowerment:
Each award carries the story of thousands of women whose lives changed through GrihaSukhan.
Rima believes:
“A woman’s transformation is the beginning of a society’s transformation.”
Her life’s mission is to ensure:
From a small room with 12 women to 87,000 empowered women —
the journey of Rima Zulfiquer is a testament to what dedication, compassion, and vision can achieve.
She continues to inspire a new generation of women entrepreneurs, extending the light of empowerment from one woman to another, shaping a stronger Bangladesh for the future.
