Kamrunnahar Poli, a CSO Hub member of Bagherhat and leader of the Local Women and Child Development Forum, has set a remarkable example of citizen action. In Bagherhat district, the 3-kilometer canal adjacent to Gate 3 of Badokhali Beel had long been clogged with silt, disrupting the natural flow of water. This blockage caused severe problems for local fish farmers and vegetable growers. During the rainy season, waterlogging damaged crops, while in the dry season, fish ponds and agricultural production suffered. Many families faced financial hardship, and women and children were particularly affected, experiencing challenges in nutrition and education.
Recognizing the urgency, Kamrunnahar Poli took the initiative. She consulted the local community to gather opinions and mobilized a collective effort to address the problem. With the support of Bagherhat CSO Hub members, she prepared a formal memorandum and submitted it to the Bagherhat Water Development Board. To amplify public attention, she organized a press conference attended by journalists and media representatives, highlighting the issue and advocating for urgent action.
Through persistent advocacy—including regular follow-ups with relevant offices, collecting signatures from affected farmers, and engaging the media—the community’s voice gained traction. The Water Development Board responded by re-excavating the 3-kilometer canal.
The impact was immediate: normal water flow was restored to the beel and fish ponds, fish and vegetable production increased, and farmers’ and fishers’ incomes were recovered. Beyond these tangible results, the initiative became a powerful example of women-led citizen action, demonstrating how organized community efforts and sustained advocacy can solve local problems effectively.
The re-excavation of Gate 3 canal in Badokhali Beel today stands as a testament to the power of local voices and the transformative role of women’s leadership in fostering resilient, empowered communities.
