Shakti Foundation for Disadvantaged Women

Shakti Foundation was established by Humaira Islam, Ph.D., and a group of social innovators committed to the socio-economic empowerment of disadvantaged women through social and financial inclusion. Founded in 1992 as a non-governmental organization, our goal is to alleviate poverty and stabilize social security for underprivileged women across the country.

Shakti initially launched a pilot microfinance program to provide small loans for income generation purpose to slum dwelling women in Dhaka. The program’s success led to similar microfinance programs in slums of other cities as well as rural areas across the nation. From there on our ambitions only grew. Shakti Foundation strongly believes in women’s potential to become decision-makers, leaders, and agents of change in their communities. Through its multiple programs, Shakti has set up branches across 57 districts in Bangladesh and provides services to over 5,28,267 members.