Women take up Facebook-commerce

It was a surprise get-together where everyone was asked to wear dark blue saris.

"The problem was that I did not have any such sari ," said a Dhanmondi resident, Helen Rofiuddin.

"Also, I did not have enough time to go shopping due to my job and household chores. Yet, I didn't want to miss the party thrown by Tani, a school friend, on another friend Mimi's arrival from London. So, on the advice of my college-going daughter, I went through Facebook and got the sari by paying Tk 2,920 with urgent home delivery charges, within one and a half hours, from an online shop," said Helen.

In recent times, many women entrepreneurs are being drawn to Facebook-commerce (Facebook based businesses) as this offers flexibility in terms of time spent also the need for little investment.

 "I opened my Facebook page, Zewar — By Aditi's Studio selling saris and other ladies' outfits since I quit my school job three years ago, because it is a profitable venture. I'm now earning three times than my previous profession," said the former teacher of an English medium school in Dhaka. "Apart from the low rate of investment, the greater benefit is that I can now give time to my children, which was almost beyond my imagination when I was a schoolteacher," she said.

Moumi Mortuza, mother of two, runs another Facebook outlet, Dhonni Meye, where shoppers at home and abroad will get handmade jewellery, household décor, arts and crafts, and terracotta items.

"Seeing my interest in making jewellery and household crafts through recycled items, my husband inspired me to run an online shop and I'm now getting satisfactory orders," said Mortuza, who also quit her teaching position to want to see herself a businesswoman.

"Five months ago, I, along with my managing partner Tanzina Aktari, launched the Facebook page Adorable Queen selling ladies' undergarments," says Farah Sarajin. "This online business idea came to us when we found that women often face embarrassment while buying the products from salesmen at shopping malls.

To increase our business reach, we recently participated in a fair at Drik Gallery," said Farah. "Lately, we have also added wrist watches  to the items that we sell," she also added.

Entrepreneur Munia Rahman of Chondraboti, said "I along with my friend Feona Rahim, opened the page this February after quitting my four-year job at an IT firm as HR manager. Initially, my parents were not supportive, but they are now happy with my decision as the online business is flourishing," said the BBA graduate from Dhaka University.

"I often buy clothes for my child from online shops due to my hectic schedule," said Mithila, manager of a food and beverage Company in Bogra.

Businessman Faruk Ahmed said he usually prefers online shopping for his family as it is very tough for him to manage time to visit departmental stores or markets in the capital.