The Situation

Bangladesh is a diverse nation of 174 million people and shares its borders with India and Myanmar. Bangladesh has significant poverty and is subject to natural disasters regularly. Despite recent improvement in economic growth, Bangladesh still grapples with poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, insufficient power supplies and slow implementation of economic reforms. Human trafficking across the border into India is common and NGOs in Mumbai report that many of the prostitutes in Mumbai were trafficked from Bangladesh and Nepal when they were young girls. In response to these challenges, the Bangladesh Empowering Women and Children project focuses on education, protection and economic empowerment to reduce vulnerability, prevent exploitation and support long-term resilience for women and children in the community.

The Objectives

1. Tuition classes for primary school children who receive minimal education are held after school, 3-4 afternoons a week. The focus is on math and literacy to prepare for high school. The classes are for up to 20 children. The project has developed multiple classes over time to meet demand.
2. A computer school provides training for primary school children in basic to intermediate computer skills. One computer lab is open with 10 computers and classes every afternoon after school.
3. A safe house for high-risk young girls. A home has been built to serve over 50 girls. The girls are either the daughters of local sex workers, girls who have been trafficked or girls who have been abandoned, have no traceable parents and are deemed at high risk of being trafficked.
4. A widow’s project is established that will provide the following:

• Support for vulnerable widows
• Literacy classes
• Micro enterprise or income support through goats or cows
• A weekly meal and support group
• Assistance in finding employment