Non-local woman empowers 500 girls through skill training in Kupwara

From flag maker to skill trainer, Jameela Begum encourages women towards elf-sustainability

Tasaduq Hussain

Kupwara, Feb 07 (KNO): Scripting an inspirational and encouraging journey, non-local women married in Kashmir have so far trained about 500 girls in cutting, tailoring and designing, thus enabling them to make their livelihood.

Jameela Begum married a Kunan Poshpora resident some years back and since then has been running a skill centre at Trehgam in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

“Since the inception of the centre, I have been training girls in cutting, tailoring, and designing from time to time,” Jameela told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

Begum claimed that in the last three years, she has trained over 500 girls who are now earning their livelihood at their places, with many among them having established shops.

Jameela, who is also a fashion designer, said girls trained at her centre have started to script their success as the training has enabled them to earn their livelihood on their own.

She hailed the administration for providing help at essential junctures like machines and extending a helping hand to establish a skill centre which has trained over 500 girls from various parts of the Kupwara district.

“This skill centre has gained significant recognition among the local community, attracting women and girls alike to both shop and avail themselves of the services offered,” Jameela remarked. She expressed hope that her centre would continue to fulfill the diverse needs of girls and women while expanding its reach to empower more individuals, thereby addressing the issue of female unemployment in the region.

Reflecting on her title as the Flag Woman of Kashmir, Jameela recounted the journey that began in 2017 when the Army approached her to craft national flags.

Following the successful completion of their first order, she said subsequent orders for national flags began pouring in from various states across the country.

“Not only did this serve as a source of motivation, but it also enabled all of us, including the trainee girls, to earn a substantial income,” she said. “We are delighted to have contributed in this manner, as it has now become a means of livelihood for many girls.”—(KNO)