Dhaka: A group of women in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh is finding new strength and dignity after years of suffering, thanks to small but meaningful support from Caritas Bangladesh. These women, known locally as tiger widows, lost their husbands in tiger attacks while they were collecting honey, fishing or gathering wood inside the mangrove forest.
The loss of a husband is painful for any family, but for these widows, the tragedy does not end there. Many face blame, fear and social rejection. In some villages, a widow is believed to bring bad luck, and some are forced to live alone or excluded from family gatherings and community events.
Caritas Bangladesh is working to change this situation. As part of a livelihood and resilience program supported by Caritas Australia, the organisation has recently given sewing machines and small financial assistance to 12 tiger widows along with 94 other vulnerable families. The aim is to help them start income earning activities and reduce their dependence on forest work that exposes families to further danger.
Rashida Begum, one of the widows supported by the programme, lost her husband in 2000 after a tiger attacked him in the forest. She said the sewing machine is more than a tool. For her, it represents the beginning of security and stability. Another widow, Amerun Nesa Begum, who lost her husband in 2012, shared that for years she did not know how she would feed her children, but now she feels hopeful.
Local reports suggest that an estimated 3000 tiger widows live in the districts near the Sundarbans including Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat. While many organisations and government agencies are aware of the issue, long term support has been slow and limited.
Other social groups and environmental organisations have also begun training widows in skills such as tailoring, fish farming and handicrafts. Some women are now earning their own income for the first time. Their stories are inspiring change and encouraging communities to rethink old beliefs.
Although help has reached only a small part of the widows, humanitarian workers say every step counts. They believe that supporting these women with income training and community inclusion can reduce stigma and restore their place in society.
For the recipients, the help is not just financial. It brings confidence, respect and the possibility of a future where they are seen not as victims or symbols of bad luck but as strong and valuable members of their community.
Caritas leaders say they hope to expand the programme so more women can rebuild their lives with dignity, independence and hope.