Today Dhaka Handicrafts works with 44 village co-operative groups in different areas of the country.  1800 families are involved, and as many as 15,000 people may be reached through this work.

Dhaka Handicrafts grew out of Enfants du Monde, a Swiss development agency which began its work in the 1970s, after the war of separation from Pakistan.  At this time there was widespread unemployment and poverty, and many widows trying to support families.  EDM targeted rural families and children and the handcrafts section became independent in 1999 as Dhaka Handicrafts.

Products are mainly basketware made from grass (kaisa), bawn, cane, date palm and other fibres, as well as terracotta.  Most of the baskets are made by women with the exception of cane baskets which men also make.  Terracotta producers are 70% male, with women preparing the clay, cleaning, washing and drying the pots and adding cane decoration.  However women are starting to become potters too – traditionally a male domain.

Cane baskets are made exclusively by Hindus who were originally very low caste cobblers living in the corners of the village.  They became “Rishi” or cane producers, although they still sometimes make shoes.

Grass and kaisa baskets are made by Muslim women, and since they are not a traditional product and are top sellers, many more women have been trained in this

The village women are able to plan their work around domestic chores, and can earn enough to live with their families in the villages.  Visible improvements have been made to houses and investments made in cattle and land.  One woman after 20 years of work now has six cows.

Other benefits include:

• training in new product, quality control and awareness raising workshops on human rights, community development and environment
• Men and women receive equal wages, they are paid promptly and receive advance payments to buy raw materials as well as having access to interest free loans
• Help with medical expenses is available as is three months maternity pay
• Savings schemes are active in all the villages