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Expressing solidarity with the global campaign ‘One Billion Rising’ to end violence against women and children, Bangladesh observed the day on 14 February 2019. Bangladesh Association for Community Education (BACE) and NDBAS in association with ActionAid Bangladesh organized campaigns at Madarganj and Kalyanpur area where hundreds of women and children took part to raise their voice against VAW and child marriage.

We shed our blood to protect our mother tongue, Bangla. But, ironically, our very own mother language is now being used against women. If we closely look at the abusive words which are commonly used in our society during any heated argument or fight, we will notice that almost all of them are women-centered violating their dignity.

Since the beginning of the Rohingya crisis, journalists have played a significant role to cover the issues and facts of the crisis. Considering the possible scopes and challenges of covering Gender Based Violence issues more intensively, ActionAid Bangladesh organized a workshop with the journalists in Cox’s Bazar with the support of UNFPA and Canadian High Commission.

Climate change is affecting everyone, specially vulnerable communities. Engaging young people’s voice is therefore needed to bring change. To encourage the young people to raise their voice in global platform to ensure international fund and climate justice to fight climate change, Youth Environment and Social Development Society (YESDS) organized ‘Dhaka Climate Talk 2018’ in association with Stamford University Bangladesh, ActionAid Bangladesh, Oxfam and Independent University, Bangladesh.

Globally, the fashion industry is responsible for contributing to global water waste by 20% and emits 10% of global carbon emission. Cotton farming itself is responsible for 24% of insecticide production and 11% pesticide production. While 15% of textiles are recycled, the rest of 85% is sent to landfill, that is about 21 billion ton per year which puts a huge impact on the environment, he said, adding that the waste, as they decompose, release methane, which is a significant contribwsutor to global warming.

Mosammat Laizu Begum is a farmer and President of Jago Nari Women Federation of Lalmonirhat. Being one of the participants of ActionAid Bangladesh’s POWER Project, she leads 20 women groups under the federation. Taking part in the SAARC Regional Expert Consultation from 9 to 11 June 2019, Laizu begum shared her learning on doing Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture Practice (CRSA) and challenges of getting access to the market.

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.