By Ritu Rabidas from Manikgonj
When BARCIK began its gender project in Manikganj Municipality in January 2021, I first met 27-year-old Mila Akter, a woman whose quiet strength and determination immediately set her apart. Born in Pachbaroil village, Mila grew up as a bright student among four siblings. Today she lives in Char Beutha village with her husband, Shahidul Islam, and their two young daughters, Safaria and Ayat. Her life, however, has been anything but easy.
Mila completed her SSC in 2014 with distinction from Kaniz Fatema Girls’ School and later enrolled in higher secondary studies at Manikganj Women’s College. But before she could complete her education, family pressure led to marriage. Her elder brother agreed to the marriage on one condition that Mila must be allowed to continue studying even after becoming a wife. Holding onto that hope, Mila entered her new household with dreams still alive.
Marriage, however, brought overwhelming responsibilities. With a sick father-in-law, an elderly mother-in-law, and an ailing sister-in-law, Mila found herself managing a full household at a very young age. Even amid this burden, her desire for education remained strong; she appeared for her HSC exams while pregnant with her first child and passed successfully. But financial struggles and domestic pressures made it impossible to pursue further education. She once tried applying to the Open University, but the high admission fees forced her to abandon that dream too.
Her life took an even harsher turn during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 when her husband suddenly lost his job. With seven family members depending on them, the situation became dire, and her husband was forced to work as a helper in carpentry just to survive. At that time, Mila stepped forward to hold the family together. She began giving private tuition, using her small income to keep her home running. At the same time, she started preparing her daughters for a future where they would not feel helpless. Since she has no sons, she teaches her older daughter to ride a bike, believing that confidence and practical skills will help her daughters stand strong in times of crisis.
Despite her own struggles, Mila has become a pillar of support for her community. She voluntarily checks blood pressure for neighbors and offers basic health advice to anyone who seeks help being trained on the issues. Over time, villagers have begun to rely on her, and she has earned their respect and affection through her simple acts of service. Inspired by this growing trust, she now dreams of completing a basic medical training course and opening a small pharmacy at home which will be an initiative that would make her financially independent while improving access to healthcare in her village.
Her involvement with BARCIK has deepened her commitment to community service. Through various meetings and discussions, she has developed confidence and leadership skills that she now uses to guide others. Mila conducts awareness circles on issues like child marriage, women’s empowerment, safe and unsafe touch, and adolescent health. Women in the village respond to her voice, gather when she calls, and engage in conversations that they once hesitated to join.
Over time, Mila has become one of the community representatives in BARCIK’s programs, standing as an example of the responsible and conscious youth the organization hopes to cultivate. Through quiet persistence rather than loud declarations, she has earned a place of trust within her family and neighborhood.
Today, Mila Akter is a mother, a wife, or a struggling woman and she is a calm yet powerful catalyst for transformation. Her journey, filled with resilience, compassion, and unwavering determination, shows how an ordinary woman can become the quiet architect of change in the lives of many.
