avatar

Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh

Sarah-Jane heads BRAC's Thought Leadership & Programme and Enterprise Communications. She joined BRAC in 2015, and has held various roles within the organisation, focused on strategy, humanitarian response and social enterprise. Sarah-Jane spent 10 years based in Bangladesh, has worked across Asia and Africa, and is now based in Australia. Prior to BRAC, Sarah-Jane worked with the United Nations, focusing on labour rights, working conditions in the apparel industry, the rights of indigenous communities and technical and vocational education. Sarah-Jane holds a Bachelor of Communications (Business) from Bond University, Australia, and is currently purusing a Juris Doctor of Law from University of Sydney, Australia.

August 25, 2022
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Aug 25 2022
Categories
crisis

Five years on: Looking back at the first 12 months of the Rohingya crisis

On 25 August 2017, hundreds of thousands of people from the Rohingya community fled persecution in Myanmar, and arrived in Bangladesh. Five years on, we recount the first days of the emergency response, and how the crisis unfolded into the most pressing humanitarian crisis of it's time. This blog post was written on 24 August, 2018, one year since the influx began.
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
March 20, 2022
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Mar 20 2022
Categories
general

An ode to BRAC and Bangladesh

On 21 March 2022, we celebrate BRAC’s 50 year journey. Recited at an event to honour BRAC’s five decades of helping people realise their potential, this poem was dedicated to over 100,000 BRAC staff members working across the world.
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
September 19, 2021
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Sep 19 2021
Categories
education

Schools in Bangladesh were closed for longer than in any other country. Here’s how BRAC is supporting their reopening

Schools in Bangladesh reopen this week after the world’s longest shutdown. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, BRAC was providing education for almost 750,000 students. During the extended closure, it continued teaching remotely, and ensured that close to 620,000 students graduated from their courses. The remaining students continued learning remotely and, after planning for reopening for months, BRAC opened its doors to 129,000 students this week. Amidst dire predictions of learning loss globally, it is quietly optimistic that its innovative measures to continue learning, combined with a rigorous approach to remediation will get its students back on track.
Do you like it?0
1 Read more
July 29, 2021
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Jul 29 2021
Categories
history

Jamdani and Aarong: A love affair spanning half a century

A jamdani saree graced the French Riviera this month, as actress Azmeri Haque Badhon represented Bangladesh at the Cannes Film Festival. While jamdani is a symbol of sophistication, beauty and grace, and has always travelled across the world, the story behind the weaving technique is not well known - the art of weaving jamdani almost became extinct just decades ago.
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
March 8, 2021
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Mar 08 2021
Categories
crisis

On International Women’s Day, meet one of the women behind your Aarong saree

Many women in Bangladesh woke up this morning, draped a saree and went about their day. For women living in rural areas, the saree was likely worn as an everyday item of dress, and for women living in urban areas, the saree could have been worn to a special occasion for International Women’s Day. Today, we share the story of one of the women behind those sarees.
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
December 10, 2020
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Dec 10 2020
Categories
equality

30 ways BRAC prevents violence against women and children in Bangladesh

Violence against women and children is rising. Child marriage is rising. Child brides are at even higher risk of violence, putting girls across the world in danger. As the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence close for 2019, let all us pledge to build a better world for girls and women. Here is a snapshot of what BRAC is doing.
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
October 13, 2020
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Oct 13 2020
Categories
education, equality

Snapshot: 30 ways BRAC supports girl children

Bangladesh has four million child brides, the second-highest in the world. More than half of all married women now in their twenties were married before the age of 18. At BRAC, tackling this challenge is one of our highest priorities. Here is a snapshot of how we are trying to change the futures of girl children.
Do you like it?0
1 Read more
September 15, 2020
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Sep 15 2020
Categories
crisis, education, equality

August Khichuri Index for Bangladesh

Khichuri is a popular all-day meal in most Bangladeshi homes. What does the cost of a plate of khichuri tell us about the changes in the affordability of food? Learn about the Khichuri Index, and how the pandemic is affecting Bangladesh’s economy. 
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
September 6, 2020
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Sep 06 2020
Categories
crisis, equality, financial inclusion

Keeping the price of rice down: A prerequisite for food security

Bangladesh is one of the leading rice producers in South Asia, with its rice-dominant agriculture sector showing encouraging performance for two decades now. This achievement is vitally important for the country, with rice production and supply being a significant determinant of Bangladesh’s food self-sufficiency and security.
Do you like it?0
1 Read more
June 20, 2020
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Jun 20 2020
Categories
crisis, equality

Beyond survival: How Rohingyas have built their own space for women in Cox’s Bazar

June marks nine months since the creation of a special place in the world’s biggest refugee camp. A place where, amidst the congested shelters, women can access counselling, participate in learning and find peace - in a beautiful, natural, artistic space. The Beyond Survival project in Cox’s Bazar, spearheaded by architect Rizvi Hassan, is a place to thrive.
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
June 7, 2020
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Jun 07 2020
Categories
crisis, equality, health

BRAC’s lessons from Ebola for COVID-19: Opt for safe not sorry, supercharge communication, focus on clients and look for opportunities

This series is a collection of insights from BRAC practitioners who have led responses to mass-scale crises across the world. We present key factors for other practitioners; healthcare professionals, governments and development authorities to consider in preparation, management, relief and recovery.
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
June 5, 2020
Published by Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh at Jun 05 2020
Categories
climate

World Environment Day 2020: Time to look at how we will recover better

Today is World Environment Day. The day comes at a time of enormous upheaval. As the world faces COVID-19, we are seeing significant reductions in carbon emissions as well as significant rises in plastic disposable products and medical waste. The question we should all be asking is: What do we want the world to look like after the pandemic?
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
Load more