gender justice

April 16, 2015

Technology for gender justice

Since its inception in 1972, BRAC has been all about empowering women. Efforts to improve gender relations within the organisation itself resulted in the gender quality action learning programme and ‘mon khule kotha bola’, a forum where all staff members, especially women, could share their opinions with the management. BRAC Gender Justice and Diversity has always been quick to respond to programme participants with questions about issues of violence, sexual harassment and women’s health. The following is an example of one such case received from a BRAC school student.
February 26, 2014

Barefoot lawyers bring legal empowerment to the poor

Without basic legal empowerment, the poor live an uncertain existence, in fear of deprivation, displacement and dispossession
December 9, 2013

Realising the next barrier to human rights

Last week the world mourned the loss of global human rights icon, Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and post-apartheid president of South Africa. Mandela’s commitment to equality will forever remain an inspiration to activists and citizens alike.
March 20, 2013

Sporting their way to financial empowerment

Financial freedom brings empowerment, a slogan that riveted the streets of Dhaka as an energized group of adolescent girls rallied with colourful banners and posters advocating social awareness messages. The component of BRAC’s education programme that deals with adolescent girls highly stresses economic independence as it gives them the power to fight against the discriminations they face in the society.
March 8, 2013

Not a moment of silence on International Women’s Day

“What I most regretted were my silences.” – Audre Lorde, The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action

In honor of International Women’s Day, we use the words of Audre Lorde, a self-described black lesbian poet, who spent the better part of her life advocating for female empowerment and equality. Through solidarity and individual self-awareness, Lorde recognized the innate power of women in overcoming oppression. Her words are the embodiment of empowerment, not only for women but marginalized groups from all walks of life. She firmly believed that “it is not difference which immobilizes us, but silence.”

February 15, 2013

A billion thanks

Yesterday from the Philippines to Dhaka to South Sudan to New York City, BRAC staff, volunteers, clients, interns and supporters participated in One Billion Rising, which invited women and those who love them around the world to "WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, and DEMAND" an end to violence against women.
October 11, 2012

On Malala’s side, everywhere

Events in Pakistan have the BRAC global family talking – and around the world, from Dhaka to New York, we're steadfast in our support for Malala Yousafzai, age 14, now in critical condition after being shot by the Taliban for her courageous defense of human rights – the right of a girl to an education, especiall
April 19, 2012

Seminar on promoting education for adolescent girls

BRAC hosted a seminar on April 16, 2012, presented by our Research and Evaluation Division (RED) on: The role of incentives and institutions in promoting education for adolescent girls: Insights from research and practice. Director of Gender Justice & Diversity Ms. Sheepa Hafiza and Prof.
March 8, 2012

In Bangladesh, the end of early marriage and sexual harassment is possible in one generation

Girls of today are the future for tomorrow. Positive change for development will only be possible if we can empower girls by providing enough skills, education and security as well as by creating a conducive environment. BRAC has long been working for social inclusiveness for deprived people and empowerment of the poor within a broader area.
February 14, 2012

BRAC hosts 40th Anniversary Gala in Dhaka

In a continuation of the 40th Anniversary celebrations, BRAC’s top leadership hosted a gala event at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Not only was this an occasion for celebration, but re-affirmation of the organization’s commitment to battling the social and economic injustices that still plague our global village.
October 25, 2011

Letter From Uganda: Given the Tools to Fight Poverty, Africa’s Women Tend to Win

A ripple of laughter spreads through the room during Beatrice's prayer. We're in the town of Nansana, in central Uganda, taking part in a meeting of 25 micro-borrowers, all of them local women. Somebody translates: "Dear Lord, please make us strong and successful," Beatrice said before the group, before adding: "And put women above men for a change."
June 15, 2011

BRAC Afghanistan: Changing the most dangerous place on earth for women

Today, TrustLaw, which runs AlertNet, published a "Danger Poll" identifying the world's five most dangerous countries for women, with Afghanistan topping the list.  These figures serve only to further motivate our dedicated BRAC Afghanistan staff, who strive every day to change these conditions.Among the multifaceted BRAC Afghanistan programs in microfinance, health, enterprise development, community development, and education, are 2,297 BRAC schools where 84% of the enrolled students are girls. BRAC is realizing the potential of gender equality in education by increasing the enrollment of young girls through completion of their primary education, and by training local women to teach in these schools.