National level dissemination conference on "Promoting Girls' Education in Climate-Impacted Areas Across Bangladesh" on November 6, 2023, at Hotel Sheraton, Banani. The conference was jointly organized by the non-governmental development organization People's Oriented Program Implementation (POPI), Disabled Rehabilitation & Research Association, and Credit and Development Forum-CDF, with the support of Malala Fund. Bangladesh Open Source Network (BdOSN) and other partner organizations included JAAGO Foundation, Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), Friendship Center Bangladesh, and Friends In Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB).
The conference brought together government officials, civil society leaders, and private sector representatives to discuss the importance of girls' education in climate-impacted areas and the challenges and opportunities that exist in ensuring that all girls have access to quality education, regardless of their circumstances.
The chief guest of the program was Muhammad Abdul Mannan, MP, Planning Minister, Government of Bangladesh. Honored guest Professor Dr. Atiur Rahman, former Governor of Bangladesh Bank and Chairperson of Unnayan Shamannay, and special guest Md. Fashiullah, Executive Vice Chairman Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA), was also present at the event.
Musharraf Tansen, In-Country Representative at Malala Fund, presented the main article of the conference on the challenges and recommendations for a flexible education calendar in light of climate change in Bangladesh. The article was based on challenge like- Sanitary and hygiene management and recommendations derived from workshops held in four different regions of Bangladesh (char, haor, hilly, and coastal areas).
Farida Yesmin, Executive Director of DRRA, and Mohammad Awal, Executive Director of Credit and Development Forum (CDF), also gave speeches at the event. Murshed Alam, Executive Director of POPI, chaired the event.
MALALA fund expanded its Education Champion Network to Bangladesh to ensure girls have access to 12 years of free, safe, quality education. Working in char, haor, hilly and coastal areas so girls can acquire skills that will minimise the digital divide and put them on a path to effectively cope with climate change and promote cohesive solutions for more resilient and adaptive communities. BdOSN colabrated a project title on "STEM & ICT Skills for Girls of Coastal Area of Bangladesh" to prome girls STEM education in remore costal area in Khulna region (Satkhira, Khulna and bagerhat) which is funded by malala fund.
BdOSN is committed to promoting girls' STEM education in Bangladesh, and we were pleased to be a part of this important conference. Girls' education is essential for building a more just and equitable society and for ensuring that all Bangladeshis have the opportunity to thrive.