Kurigram:A new initiative to bolster women's leadership in disaster management and community peacebuilding has been launched in five climate-vulnerable districts of Bangladesh. The project, named 'Nari Agragoti' (Women's Advancement), commenced in the flood-prone district of Kurigram on Thursday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the initiative is funded by the UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) and receives technical support from UN Women Bangladesh, Youth for Change Bangladesh Foundation (YFC-BD), and YouthNet Global. The project targets the districts of Kurigram, Satkhira, Feni, Sunamganj, and Bandarban, all of which face environmental challenges such as riverbank erosion, floods, coastal salinity, cyclones, and flash floods.
The inception meeting took place at the Deputy Commissioner's Office conference room in Kurigram, with Additional Deputy Commissioner B. M. Kudrat-e-Khuda serving as the chief guest. Other attendees included District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer A. T. M. Benazir Rahman, Kurigram Press Club General Secretary Mahfuzar Rahman Khandaker, YFC-BD Field Implementation and Local Engagement Lead Zahid Kabir, and Project Coordinator Jannatunnahar Tonni. The meeting was also attended by government officials, civil society representatives, elected local representatives, and women from marginalized communities.
During the open discussion, women from areas affected by floods and erosion shared their experiences of insecurity in emergency shelters, displacement, loss of livelihoods, and difficulties in accessing healthcare during disasters. Marjia Medha, YouthNet Global's District Coordinator in Kurigram, emphasized the need for women's voices in disaster management decisions, highlighting their critical role as first responders during floods.
The initiative aims to provide training in disaster preparedness, emergency response, and recovery, and seeks to increase women's representation in Union Disaster Management Committees. It also plans to undertake mangrove restoration in coastal areas, such as Assasuni in Satkhira, with active involvement from local communities and women.
Additionally, the project will engage men and boys as allies through community dialogues and awareness activities and will establish community-based 'Peace Circles' to address local tensions and enhance social cohesion. Jahir Rayhan, Executive Director of YFC-BD, highlighted the project's objectives to strengthen women's leadership and promote community-based peacebuilding.
Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, emphasized the importance of recognizing women and girls as leaders in resilience, peacebuilding, and environmental stewardship, with men and boys supporting them as allies. The initiative contributes to the UN Women, Peace and Security Agenda, including UN Security Council Resolution 1325, aiming to achieve climate justice through gender justice.