During the 5-day Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) conference 2019 in Geneva, Bangladesh has been showcased as one of the most resilient countries in the world. But it remains one of the most vulnerable countries to the adverse impacts of climate change and disasters many challenges including rising temperature and increasing population. And to achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Bangladesh, it is important to incorporate climate change, disasters and associated uncertainty into our development programme. National budget plays crucial role in this regard.

Breaking the silence of social taboo, young girls and boys of Chanpara Community observed the International menstrual hygiene day 2019 with several activities to spread awareness among the people. Dr. Shafiur Rahman, Department Head of Occupational and Environment Health, NIPSOM, addressed the inaugural session as the Chief Guest and launched Menstrual Hygiene kit prepared with the support of ActionAid Bangladesh.

Fashion industry is considered to be the second biggest polluters in the world. With the rise of fast fashion and unplanned growth of fashion industry, there raises a great concern for the environment as well. While, globally, the textile sector is the second highest user of water contributing to water waste by 20%, the apparel industry emits 10% of carbon dioxide alone. Furthermore, only 15% of textile waste is recycled whereas the remaining 85% is sent to landfill which puts negative impact on the environment globally contributing to global warming. Chemical dyes used in the process leach into the soil, contaminating surface and groundwater.

ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) in coordination with Democratic Budget Movement, the Parliamentary caucus concerned with national development and the annual budget, Dhaka University Centre on Budget and Policy organized ‘People’s Budget Assembly 2019’, a model parliament session to discuss on preparing a participatory budget reflecting hopes, rights and aspirations of the general people, The programme was held on 28 April 2019 at Engineers Institutions Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka. Speakers in this programme addressed that a decentralized budgeting process could be an effective means of attaining the goal of a democratic budget. Rashed Khan Menon, MP, said, “The employment issue should be clearly outlined in the budget. Otherwise, the unemployment rate will keep rising.”

Online TV channel, ITV (International Television) published a report on the International Youth Day celebration by Badhon Manob Unnayan Sangstha (Badhon) in Bagerhat. There was a colorful rally from the District Commissioner’s office to celebrate the event. Later on a discussion meeting was held at Khan Jahan Ali College Auditorium chaired by Mir Sawkat Ali Badsha from Ministry of Fisheries And Livestock. Mr rishikesh das, deputy director from the Department of Youth Development of Bagerhat along with other guests attended the dialogue session as well, where the speakers talked about the issues young people face and how to address these.

BD news 24 is one of the most potential online news portals of Bangladesh. Mr Tariq Hassan, fellow at ActionAid Young Journalist Media Fellowship 2018 reported a report on 31 december 2018 on Menstrual cycle. In his writing he mentions that menstrual cycle all though a natural phenomenon but still in Bangladeshi society it is an issue that should not be talked about.

On this May 2019, for the second time, ActionAid Bangladesh organized ‘Share to Care’, an event to raise fund for our Happy Home girls as well as strengthening bonding with our supporters and spread the goodwill of the initiative. Through this event on 25 May 2019 at the Six Seasons Hotel, we reached out our supporters who have been generously contributing to raise the stars and leaders of tomorrow living at Happy Home.

ActionAid Bangladesh believes that to reap the benefit of the demographic dividend Bangladesh currently going through, it is crucial to start investing on the young women and men to ensure their empowerment. In this context, AAB and Institute of Informatics and Development (IID) jointly carried out a research report titled ‘Status and Public Expenditure on Youth Responsive Public Services and Employment-oriented Skills Development’ focusing on the trend of public resource allocation for young people.

With the theme of ‘Resilience Dividend: Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Societies’, this year, the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) conference took place from 13 to 17 May 2019 in Geneva.