Bangladesh, May 25 -- Mahmuda Begum Shukta began a small cattle farm at her village home in Borogangdia under Daulatpur Upazila of Kushtia district with the dream of earning additional income and becoming financially independent.

Every year, she buys at least three calves, raises them carefully throughout the year and sells them during Eid-ul-Azha to earn a profit.

Over the years, the venture has become a reliable source of income for her family.

Speaking to The New Nation, Shukta said she manages the earnings from her cattle farm independently and does not hand the money over to her husband, as she hopes to establish a large-scale livestock farm in the future.

Like Shukta, thousands of women across Bangladesh are now playing an impo...