Taken away from her family by her brother-in-law to India at young age, Fatima counts among the many Bangladeshi females who are or have been victims of trafficking and abuse. Her story is one of deception, exploitation and suffering – until she, driven by her courage and will to become independent and live a life of dignity, got involved with Kafe Mukti.  

Kafe Mukti was established in 2008 by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as a pioneering public-private partnership for the economic empowerment of disadvantaged women.  

Coming from a family ranking at the lowest levels of poverty, a job would enable Fatima (24) to support her family. Moreover, she wanted to be self-sufficient and independent. When she learned about IOM opening Kafe Mukti, Fatima immediately got involved. Although she had no previous working experience, Fatima quickly took charge of the management of the café. After completing a short training course provided by IOM, she became responsible for the supervision of the business’ accounts.  

Last year, the Government of Bangladesh’s Department of Women Affairs strengthened its efforts in promoting the economic empowerment of women and included Kafe Mukti in its entrepreneurship development program for women, the Joyeeta program. That is how the name was changed to Café Joyeeta.  

Fatima is currently second-in-charge of Café Joyeeta and manages the kitchen. By her side are seven girls and young women who have also been victims of trafficking and gender-based violence, dashing through the café with plates full of rice, khichuri, meat and vegetables for the customers. 

Working at Café Joyeeta means that Fatima is away from most of her family members who live in another district. Yet, being employed at the café allows Fatima to live her life with dignity and her family supports her decision to stay and make a living in Dhaka. Her family also benefits from the money that she earns and the possibility to remit money encourages Fatima to invest a lot into Café Joyeeta.  

Café Joyeeta, first and foremost offers a rewarding working environment for Fatima who loves her daily undertakings. This devotion to the café and motivation to invest in it are mainly due to the responsibility she has gained and her feeling of ownership over the business. Over the years, Fatima has gained much respect and become a role model for the other beneficiaries, and she now wants to assist the girls in living dignified lives.  

Fatima is very proud of what ‘her’ Café Joyeeta has achieved and more so, how it has helped previously very vulnerable girls and young women who have gone through the same terrible experiences that she did, but were fortunate enough to be rescued.