MJF celebrates the success of the Women’s Voice and Leadership Bangladesh Project

A special event titled "Women's Empowerment: Women's Voice and Leadership Bangladesh Project" was organised at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel.

This conference highlighted the transformative impact of the Women's Voice and Leadership Bangladesh project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF). It showcased inspiring stories from grassroots women, girls, and transgender individuals, detailing their struggles, aspirations, and achievements. The WVL project is a global initiative by Global Affairs Canada to support local women's organisations (WROs) in developing countries to ensure women's and girls' empowerment, gender equality, and human rights protection.

Since March 2019, MJF has been implementing the Women's Voice and Leadership Bangladesh project, which provided grants to local women's rights organisations (WRO) and is strengthening the capacity of local women's rights organisations (WRO)/community-based organisations (CBO) to help women, girls, and transgender individuals—especially those who are marginalised and vulnerable to exercise their rights. MJF, in this project, has been working with 18 WRO/CBOs and women's networks nationwide through multi-year partnerships. The project activities include: (1) providing multi-year funding to selected local WROs; (2) capacity-building efforts for WROs (3) strengthening networks and alliances among WROs; and (4) rapid response short-term funding for local WROs to integrate various innovative ideas, opportunities, and discrete activities. The project duration was from February 25, 2019, to March 31, 2024, and was implemented across 20 districts.

Shaheen Anam,Executive Director of MJF, defines a feminist as anyone who believes in equal human rights. We consider men our allies; we want them to join us in our journey to ensure gender equality. She addresses the advisor, Farida, by calling her fearless.

The conference was graced by the Honourable Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh,Farida Akhter, as the chief guest. Additionally, special guests included Saidur Rahman, Director General (Grade-1) of the NGO Affairs Bureau; Debra Boyce, Chargée d'Affaires of the Canadian Embassy in Bangladesh; and Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of the Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE).

Women from various walks of life shared their stories of resilience, which the chief guest, honourable advisor Farida Akhter, described as "inspiring and powerful." Highlighting the need to bring women from different classes and identities to the forefront, she stated, "If issues are not addressed from various perspectives, simply generalising 'women's' problems is not enough to eliminate discrimination." She also emphasised the need for balanced nutrition in schools to improve the education and health of female children, an initiative she is working on with the interim government. In her speech, she strongly opposed child marriage and dowry, stating, "Child marriage is a major cause behind human trafficking of women and children, and it must be combated from every corner of the society."

The special guest was Md. Saidur Rahman, the Director General (Grade-1) of the NGO Affairs Bureau, who focused on the role of men in women's empowerment. He said child marriage is the primary reason behind the decreasing number of women in higher education. He said, "The higher the class, the lower the participation rate of women. He emphasized the importance of prevention.

Rasheda K Choudhury began her speech by remembering the women who were injured or killed in anti-discrimination movements. She stated, "Participation and ownership are not the same. Many women are participating, but how much are they truly partnering? We need to understand equality and equity separately. Understanding and ensuring women's empowerment will be difficult if this is unclear."

Debra Boyce, Chargée d'Affaires of the Canadian Embassy in Bangladesh, highlighted in her speech that the role of women leaders is vital. She emphasised that raising a united voice against discrimination is essential, which we can learn from recent times; she added that building a strong resistance against injustice is no alternative to raising our voices together.