ActionAid Bangladesh along with other networks and alliances successfully influenced the review and formulation of the of the 2020-2025 strategy

Due to the demographic window, Bangladesh has the opportunity of harnessing youth potential for achieving long term development objectives. Even though Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has associated investment in youth with the development trajectory of the country through various plans and policies, youth related discussions are not contextualized due to absence of policy coherence and consensus on intended outcomes. Lack of structured and holistic approach towards these discussions result in ineffective implementation of well-intended policies. Hence, this policy brief, jointly developed by ActionAid Bangladesh and SANEM (South Asian Network on Economic Modeling) construes that Bangladesh requires a formal, well-structured Youth Budget Framework (YBF) as part of the national budget to attain vital objectives by cashing in on demo- graphic dividend. A youth centric budget is intrinsically a framework of goals and visions to empower youths economically and socially. The designated monetary allocations in the budget will be analysed through a youth centric lens to equip the evidence-based policymaking process. In short, the youth budget framework will serve to represent the commitments of the Government of Bangladesh to invest holistically in youth development, alleviate challenges and bottlenecks which uniquely affect youths through various channels.

To utilize Bangladesh’s current demographic window, Bangladesh must harness its youth potentials to achieve the long-term development. The increased ratio of young women and men who have access to economic opportunities and sustainable income sources will help us to achieve our targeted goals. Access to flexible finances for young women and men especially those with limited indemnity to venture into self-employment or social entrepreneurship plays a crucial role if we want to reap this opportunity. The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) hold the most promise for creating jobs in both rural and urban areas. But the Covid-19 pandemic has hurt this sector as much it has affected our daily lives, specially the women entrepreneurs and workers. This policy brief is an attempt to explore the situation, challenge, and way forward on youth and women responsive strategy for MSMEs.

A child hearing event was organized at Ghoraghat on 10th October 2021 as part of Child Rights Week to give children scope to share their recommendations to government and community leaders regarding climate change related to their surroundings.

Along with its partner organization, ActionAid Bangladesh is working at LRP-50 to enhance the status the child rights. Thus, during the celebration of Child Rights Week 2021, members of the Child Forum organized a Press Conference on 07th October at Press Club in their community.

As a part of Child Rights week 2021, various initiatives had been taken at LRP level to ensure child participation. Along with the theme of Child Rights Week 2021, this time, we tried to highlight the theme ‘Climate Justice’ to incorporate the demand and desire of our children from the local to national level as well as international level at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26. Along with that, a huge number of girls are at risk of child marriage. Though there is significant progress in recent years, still Bangladesh has the fourth highest prevalence of child marriage especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, millions of girls are facing difficulties. School closures, isolation from friends and support networks, and rising poverty places girls at risk of child marriage.

We are constantly working to establish the rights of children, especially for the disadvantaged one. Disadvantaged children have various obstacles. Natural disasters are one of them. Poor families are suffering the most due to climate change. The people especially the children of Biswambarpur is no exception. With this thought in mind, to share the causes of climate change, to give the child ideas and take initiatives on what to do in dealing with climate change, a drawing competition on ‘Climate change & Global warming’ had been arranged from 3rd of October to 5th of October as a part of Child Rights Week celebration. 74 children took part in this competition and share their thoughts, views on climate change through drawings. At the end of the event, best drawings were selected & 3 children were awarded.

Child rights week 2021 is being celebrated with the slogan ‘Invest for children & build prosperous world’. Today’s child is the future of tomorrow. The child of today will play a role in the overall development of this country and the whole world in the future. Children cannot play a role in the election of people's representatives. They don’t have the right to vote. But they have to rely on the people's representatives to implement and ensure their rights. Children have very few opportunities to discuss about their rights with people’s representatives. As a part of celebrating Child Rights Week 2021, the opportunity of child hearing had been arranged by LRP 43 to create the opportunity for this exchange of views.

Bangladesh government declared 04 October to 10th October 2021 as the Child Rights Week - 2021. Along with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), different organizations observe the week with different activities.