Creating a safe environment for women in educational settings is essential for fostering their growth and learning. Whether in schools, colleges, or university campuses, ensuring the safety of female students and teachers is crucial for their well-being and success, particularly in Bangladesh, where cultural and social challenges persist. This requires comprehensive measures to protect girls and women from harassment, violence, and discrimination.    Ways to Ensure Female Students’ and Teachers’ Safety in the Educational Setting . Gender Sensitization Programs Promoting awareness and education on gender equality is crucial for ensuring women's safety in educational settings. This can be achieved by integrating gender studies into the curriculum and conducting comprehensive gender sensitisation programs for all students, teachers, and staff.  These programs should challenge traditional gender stereotypes, promote respect, and foster a culture of equality. Additionally, they should address important issues such as consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. In Bangladesh, where deeply rooted gender roles often persist, such initiatives can play a key role in creating a safer and more inclusive environment. Read more: Workplace stress affecting women in Bangladesh needs attention Implementing Strict Anti-Harassment Policies Implementing and enforcing strict anti-harassment policies are essential for ensuring safety. These policies should clearly define all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment and bullying, and outline the consequences.  All students and staff must be aware of these rules and the procedures for reporting incidents. Regular workshops and training sessions should be conducted to raise awareness and ensure that everyone understands the policy. A zero-tolerance approach is vital to protect women and deter potential offenders. Safe Physical Environment Prioritising physical safety in schools and universities is crucial for protecting female students and teachers. Educational institutions should ensure that all areas, such as pathways, car parks, and secluded spots, are well-lit and equipped with CCTV surveillance.  Read more: Is Gym Good for Women? Installing emergency alarms and conducting regular security audits can help identify and address potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, providing separate restrooms and common areas for women is essential. These measures deter criminal activity and contribute to a safer and more secure campus environment. Establishing Safe Reporting Mechanisms Establishing safe and confidential reporting mechanisms is essential for addressing harassment and violence against women in educational settings. Institutions should create clear, accessible channels that allow female students and teachers to report incidents without fear of retaliation.  This could include anonymous reporting systems and dedicated hotlines that offer immediate assistance and support. By ensuring that these mechanisms are well-publicised and trusted, institutions can encourage more women to come forward, leading to quicker resolutions and a safer environment for all. Read more: Martial Arts Belts: Everything You Need to Know About Their Color and Significance Providing Self-Defence Training for Female Students and Teachers Self-defense training effectively empowers women, equipping them with the skills and confidence to protect themselves in dangerous situations. Educational institutions should offer regular self-defense classes focusing on practical, easy-to-learn techniques.  In Bangladesh, where women may encounter various threats, such training can be a crucial tool for ensuring personal safety. By providing these classes, institutions enhance the physical safety of female students and teachers and also contribute to their sense of security and empowerment.  Counselling and Support Services Providing gender-sensitive counselling services is vital for supporting female students and teachers who face harassment, abuse, or mental health challenges. These services should be staffed by trained professionals who understand the unique needs of women and can offer tailored support and guidance.  Read more: 8 Safe Motorcycle Riding Tips for Women Access to such counselling is crucial, as it provides emotional support and can connect victims to legal and medical assistance. By offering these resources, educational institutions help ensure that women receive the comprehensive care they need to navigate difficult situations safely.  Promoting a Culture of Respect and Inclusivity Fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity is essential for ensuring women's safety in educational settings. This requires promoting values of mutual respect among students and staff, celebrating diversity, and encouraging open dialogue about gender issues. When these principles are deeply embedded in the institution's culture, the likelihood of harassment decreases significantly.  By creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, educational institutions can significantly enhance the safety and well-being of female students and teachers which contributes to a more positive and supportive atmosphere.  Read more: Homemade Pepper Spray for Self-Defense: Ingredients, process, efficiency, precautions Engaging Parents and Guardians in Safety Efforts Involving parents and guardians is crucial for ensuring the safety of female students. Educational institutions should engage with parents through regular meetings, workshops, and open communication channels to inform them about safety measures and encourage their active involvement.  Schools and universities can organise parent-teacher meetings to discuss safety concerns, share information, and collaborate on initiatives. Parental awareness and support are vital for reinforcing safety practices both inside and outside of the educational environment. Regular Safety Audits and Inspections Regular safety audits and inspections are vital for maintaining a secure campus environment. These assessments should evaluate factors such as lighting, the presence of security personnel, and potential hazards. By collecting data on incidents of harassment and violence, institutions can identify areas needing improvement and develop effective prevention strategies.  Read more: Cyberbullying: What to Do If Someone is Harassing You Online Prompt corrective action based on audit findings is crucial to address any safety concerns. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of safety measures ensure that the campus remains a safe space for female students and teachers. Encouraging Peer Support Networks Peer support networks are a powerful tool for ensuring women's safety on campus, offering emotional support, safety tips, and assistance during critical times. Establishing student safety committees that include both male and female students can further promote a culture of safety and accountability.  These committees can identify safety concerns, implement preventive measures, and provide support to victims. Encouraging the formation of such groups within educational institutions fosters a sense of community and solidarity, enhancing the overall safety and well-being of female students and teachers.  Read more: Best Free Personal Safety Android, iOS Apps for Women in 2024 Collaboration with Law Enforcement Collaborating with local law enforcement is vital for improving safety in educational settings. Establishing robust relationships with police ensures a swift response during emergencies and acts as a deterrent to potential offenders. Regular visits from law enforcement officers can reassure both students and staff, creating a safer environment.  Additionally, strengthening legal frameworks to combat harassment, violence, and discrimination is essential. Effective enforcement of these laws, in partnership with local law enforcement, further enhances campus security and safeguards female students and teachers. Monitoring Online Harassment and Cyber Safety With the surge in digital communication, online harassment has become a pressing issue for women in educational settings. Institutions must tackle this by enforcing strict policies on digital conduct and monitoring online interactions.  Read more: Top 10 International Scholarships for Women to Study Abroad Providing comprehensive training on cyber safety can equip both students and staff to handle online threats effectively. Additionally, offering dedicated resources and support for those targeted by cyberbullying ensures that victims receive the help they need. By addressing online harassment proactively, educational institutions can foster a safer and more inclusive environment for all.  Closing Lines Ensuring women's safety in educational settings is a multifaceted challenge that requires a collective effort. By implementing the strategies outlined above, academic institutions in Bangladesh can create a safer and more supportive environment for female students and teachers. Continuous improvement in safety measures, driven by awareness, collaboration, and respect, is essential to fostering a learning environment where women can thrive. Read more: How to Ensure Safe Work Environment for Women in Bangladesh

Creating a safe work environment for women fosters equality, productivity, and well-being. In countries like Bangladesh, where cultural and social norms often shape workplace dynamics, it is crucial to implement specific measures that ensure women feel secure and respected at their respective workplaces. Ways to Ensure Women’s Safety in the Workplace Implementing Strict Anti-Harassment Policies Implementing a comprehensive Sexual Harassment Policy is crucial for any organisation, regardless of size. This policy should clearly define what constitutes sexual harassment, including both physical and verbal forms, and provide examples to ensure understanding. A zero-tolerance approach must be emphasised, making it clear that any form of harassment will not be tolerated under any circumstances.  The policy should also educate employees about inappropriate conduct and outline the reporting procedures. Importantly, the Sexual Harassment Policy must specify the consequences for offenders, ensuring that there is no ambiguity about the seriousness of the organisation’s view of preserving the female workers’ safety.  Read more: Which Vitamins are Essential for Women? Providing Gender Sensitivity Training Providing gender sensitivity training is an essential step on the path of ensuring women's safety in the workplace. These training programs should be mandatory for all employees and cover topics like respectful communication, unconscious bias, and the importance of gender equality. In a country like Bangladesh, where traditional gender roles are deeply ingrained, such trainings are particularly impactful in building awareness about ensuring women’s safety at workplaces.  Unconscious biases, though common, can be mitigated through education and training. The senior management and HR teams of organisations should be educated about different types of biases. Training can enable management and employees to recognize and challenge these biases, fostering a safer and more inclusive workplace.  Establishing a Safe Reporting Mechanism Establishing a safe reporting mechanism is vital for ensuring women's safety in the workplace. Women need to feel confident that they can report harassment or unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation. Implementing anonymous reporting options, such as a hotline, an online system, or a dedicated HR representative, can encourage more women to come forward.  Read more: Proven Passive Income Ideas for Women in 2024 All reports must be taken seriously, with prompt and appropriate action taken to address any issues. By creating an environment where women feel safe and supported in reporting concerns, organizations can maintain trust and uphold a culture of respect and safety.  Creating a Supportive Workplace Culture Creating a supportive workplace culture is essential for ensuring the safety of female employees. Employers should foster an environment of open communication, where employees feel safe to express their concerns without fear of judgement, mocking, or retaliation. Encouraging mutual respect and support among colleagues can significantly reduce the risk of harassment and discrimination.  This inclusive culture not only helps prevent issues but also promotes a sense of belonging and security for all employees. By prioritising respect and collaboration, organisations can build a workplace where everyone, especially women, feels valued, protected, and empowered to thrive.  Read more: How to raise happy, confident, strong girls Regularly Conducting Safety Audits This is crucial for ensuring women's safety in the workplace. These audits should thoroughly assess all aspects of safety, including physical infrastructure, security measures, employee behaviour, etc. By identifying potential risks early, organisations can take immediate action to address them, preventing accidents or incidents before they occur.  Regular audits also help maintain a high standard of safety, ensuring that the workplace remains a secure environment for everyone. Prioritising these evaluations reinforces the organisation’s commitment to protecting its employees, and creating a safer and more trustworthy workplace for women.  Implementing Safe Transport Facilities Implementing safe transport facilities is vital for ensuring the safety of female employees, particularly in Bangladesh, where public transport can often be unsafe. Companies can enhance security by offering shuttle services, especially for women working late shifts. Alternatively, they can collaborate with reliable transport providers to guarantee safe and secure commutes for their employees.  Read more: Top 10 International Scholarships for Women to Study Abroad By taking these measures, organisations not only protect their employees but also demonstrate their commitment to creating a supportive and secure work environment. It allows women to focus on their work without worrying about their safety during their commute.  Developing an Internal Complaints Committee  Developing an internal complaints committee in an organisation is crucial for addressing workplace harassment and ensuring women’s safety. In Bangladesh, many organisations still lack proper mechanisms, leaving women hesitant to report abuse. However, such committees must include trained individuals, including women participants.  The committee should be responsible for investigating complaints within 90 days and issuing a report within 10 days. Developing an effective internal complaints committee is essential for creating a safe environment where female employees feel confident to report verbal and sexual harassment, knowing their concerns will be handled with sensitivity and fairness.  Read more: 8 Safe Motorcycle Riding Tips for Women Collaboration with External Organizations Partnering with NGOs, government bodies, or external organisations is a valuable strategy for enhancing women’s safety in the workplace. These collaborations can bring in specialised resources, such as training programs, legal advice, counselling, and support services, which might not be available internally.  Additionally, such partnerships help organisations stay updated with the latest safety practices and legal requirements, ensuring compliance and best practices. By leveraging the expertise of these external entities, companies can create a more comprehensive and effective approach to protecting their female employees. Encouraging Mental Health Support Mental well-being is a critical component of workplace safety, especially for women. Companies should offer counselling services and foster a supportive environment where women can seek help for psychological distress caused by stress, harassment, or exclusion. The mental health challenges stemming from gender-based violence, lack of inclusion, and demanding work conditions can lead to issues like anxiety, depression, and even substance use disorders.  Read more: Is Gym Good for Women? Research indicates that women who feel excluded are at higher risk of workplace incidents due to increased stress. Promoting mental health awareness and support are essential to ensuring women's safety and job satisfaction, reducing turnover, and creating a healthier workplace culture. Equal Opportunities  Promoting gender equality in hiring, promotions, and leadership roles is essential for ensuring women’s safety and empowerment in the workplace. Companies should commit to equal pay for equal work and regularly review compensation packages to eliminate gender disparities. Providing equal opportunities for advancement, training, and professional development helps empower women and fosters a more inclusive work environment.  Additionally, adopting hiring practices that prioritise diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ensures a diverse workforce and a culture of fairness. By championing gender equality at all levels, organisations create a safer, more supportive environment where women can thrive.  Read more: Best Free Personal Safety Android, iOS Apps for Women in 2024 Healthcare Facilities  To ensure women's safety and well-being in the workplace, it is essential to provide accessible healthcare services and maintain clean, private restrooms. For menstruating women, facilities must be sanitised, well-stocked, and functional to support health and dignity.  Additionally, flexible working hours and adequate maternity leave are crucial. Providing dedicated spaces for nursing reflects a commitment to valuing and retaining talented employees. These measures go beyond mere compliance, fostering a supportive environment that enhances morale and demonstrates respect for women’s needs in the workplace. Takeaways Ensuring women’s safety in the workplace is not just about adhering to legal requirements; it is about creating an environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and secure. In Bangladesh, where cultural dynamics often influence workplace behaviour, these measures are especially critical. By implementing these strategies, organisations can make significant strides toward fostering a safer and more inclusive workplace for women. Read more: Workplace stress affecting women in Bangladesh needs attention

The women employment in the banking sector increased by 1407 in July-December period of 2023, and the overall perrcentage of women employees at banks stood at 16.37 percent in Bangladesh. Meanwhile just 13.51% of board members in the banks are women.  Bangladesh Bank’s (BB’s) latest report on gender equality revealed this information. There are 33346 women employees in 61 banks in the country, which is 16.37 percent of the total employees of banks, according to the report. The BB report shows that among the scheduled banks in 2023, 43 private commercial banks have the highest number of women employees 22,248, which is 16.32 percent of the total employees. Foreign commercial banks have the highest proportion of female officers, 24.18 percent as compared to other banks. In the period July-December 2023, the participation of women as board members was only 13.51 percent. Among them, foreign commercial banks have the highest female board member participation rate at 17.54 percent. Read more: Bangladesh's women empowerment showcased in Myanmar On the other hand, there is no participation of women board members of specialized commercial banks in the discussed period. According to the reports submitted by banks during the period July-December 2023 shows that the participation rate of women employees is higher at the entry-level 17.04 percent and mid-level 15.79 percent than at the higher levels 9.36 percent. Analysis of the obtained data shows that the participation of women in the banking sector is high at the initial stage. At the same time, the participation rate of female employees under thirty years of age 20.99 percent is more than double that of female officers above 9.58 percent in scheduled banks. Bangladesh’s place has improved by 12 steps in the gender gap report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2023, as women's employment increased in the country. The BB report shows that Bangladesh is holding the 59th position in 2023 improving from 71st in 2022 in the gender gap of WEF, among 146 countries in the world. Read more: PM Hasina keen to create more scopes for women in every sector: Nasrul Hamid Executive Director of CDP Dr. Fahmida Khatun said that women's employment is usually increasing with the developing socio-economic scenario of the country and decreasing the ratio of women's employment does not match that calculation. She focused on the need to study why the ratio of women employment has been decreasing in the banking sector. Bangladesh Bank’s spokesperson Mezbaul Haque told UNB that women's employment has increased in the banking sector following the central bank’s policy to reduce the gender gap in banks and financial institutions. The central bank prefers women both in employment and entrepreneurship development. Loan disbursement and interest incentives have been given to women encouraging them involved in financial inclusion. The BB is still working to ensure a sound environment in the workplace of banks. Facilities including maternity leave and daycare opportunities for women’s employees have increased, he said. Read more: Proven Passive Income Ideas for Women in 2024

Vitamins are integral for women's health. They actively maintain overall well-being, regulate vital bodily functions, and avert diverse health complications.  These nutrients play pivotal roles, supporting immunity, nurturing organs, and ensuring optimal functionality. Together they promote women's health and vitality. 6 Essential Vitamins for Women Vitamin A  Vitamin A plays a critical role in women’s health. It actively supports vision, fortifies the immune system, and nurtures reproductive health. It is also essential for maintaining healthy skin. This vitamin is abundantly found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach.  Actively incorporating these nutrient-rich foods into the diet ensures an adequate supply of Vitamin A. It actively fosters robust immunity, aids in cell regeneration for healthy skin, and contributes significantly to preserving optimal vision. Thus it helps ensure women’s overall well-being. Read more: 10 Teas for Upset Stomach and Improved Digestive Health Vitamin B12  Vitamin B12 stands as an indispensable element for women. It contributes to energy production, neurological functions, and red blood cell formation. Meats, fish, dairy products, and fortified cereals serve as rich sources and ensure a substantial intake of Vitamin B12.  This vitamin is vital for sustaining nerve health, supporting cognitive functions, and aiding the production of red blood cells crucial for oxygen transport. Its active presence in the diet is pivotal for women for fostering vitality, ensuring neurological well-being, and maintaining the body's essential functions. Vitamin C  Vitamin C serves as a pivotal nutrient for women. It helps with collagen formation, bolsters immunity, and promotes skin health. It is abundantly found in citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in maintaining overall well-being and enhancing immune responses.  Read more: Vitamin C: Where to Found and How Much to Consume It also supports collagen synthesis, fortifies skin integrity, aids in wound healing, and safeguards against infections.  Vitamin D  Vitamin D stands as one of the most necessary nutrients for women. It is great for bone health, immunity function, and mood regulation. Exposure to sunlight and the consumption of fortified foods such as fatty fish, eggs, and fortified dairy products ensure adequate Vitamin D levels.  This vital nutrient plays a pivotal role in maintaining strong bones, supporting the immune system's resilience, and regulating mood patterns. It can help to prevent Vitamin D deficiency diseases like osteoporosis. Actively incorporating these sources into the diet and sunlight exposure actively facilitates optimal Vitamin D levels. Read more: Different forms of Vitamin D: Benefits, sources of Vitamin D1 vs D2 vs D3 Vitamin E  Vitamin E serves as a potent antioxidant. It shields women's cells from damage. This vitamin is abundantly found in nuts, seeds, spinach, and avocados. Vitamin E stands as an essential nutrient for women's health.  Its role as an antioxidant actively safeguards cells from harmful free radicals, supports skin vitality, and counteracts oxidative stress. Including these nutrient-rich foods into the diet ensures an ample supply of Vitamin E. It also protects women's overall health, preserving cellular integrity, and fortifying against the detrimental effects of oxidative damage.  Vitamin K  Vitamin K stands as a significant nutrient for women. It assists in blood clotting, bone metabolism, and heart health. Foods such as spinach, broccoli are rich in Vitamin K. It plays a significant role in supporting bone health and blood clotting mechanisms.  Read more: Microwave Cooking: 7 Healthy Chicken Breast Recipes By actively incorporating these Vitamin K-rich foods into the diet, women can ensure their safety from different Vitamin K deficiency issues. It also participates in blood coagulation, aids in wound healing, and supports optimal bone density. Its role in regulating calcium aids in bone metabolism, while also contributing to heart health. All together it plays a vital role in women's overall health. Closing Lines Maintaining a balanced intake of vital vitamins and minerals is crucial for women's health and well-being. Actively incorporating a diverse range of nutrient-rich foods aids in sustaining optimal health across life stages. This practice actively supports bodily functions, fostering resilience and promoting wellness in women. Read more: Zinc: Health Benefits, Food Sources and Daily Requirements

In today's intricate economic landscape, ways of passive income have opened new doors to achieve financial stability while maintaining flexibility. After the pandemic and global economic crisis, the cost of living has significantly shot up throughout the world. Therefore, earning some extra cash can help women to support their families. Let’s take a look at several passive income strategies that working women and homemakers can try in 2024. Passive Income Ideas for Working Women and Homemakers YouTube Vlogging Starting a YouTube channel stands as a promising route for cultivating passive income. Women can actively share their expertise, experiences, or daily life through compelling video content. With persistent dedication, this content magnetises a broad viewership.  Consistent effort in content creation empowers women to get views and subscribers. This engagement may pave the way for monetisation avenues such as AdSense earning, ads or sponsorships.   Read more: 10 Best Programming Languages for 2024 Facebook Influencer Diving into the realm of a Facebook influencer offers another avenue for women seeking passive income sources. By harnessing a robust social media presence, women can make partnerships with brands, do sponsored content, and endorse products.  With these, they can generate revenue based on their level of interaction and number of followers. This engagement-driven approach cultivates a mutually beneficial relationship between influencers and brands. Thus, it serves as a lucrative source of income for women navigating the digital landscape. Read more: Influencer Marketing: A Beginner’s Guide Freelancing Opportunities Freelancing presents a versatile work structure. It enables women to leverage their expertise in diverse domains such as writing, graphic design, programming, and beyond. Platforms like Upwork, or Fiverr offer a spectrum of income opportunities.  Through active participation, these skilled individuals can carve a niche for themselves. They can engage with clients globally and foster a flexible yet rewarding career path, underpinned by their unique talents and proficiency. Read more: How to Transform Your Freelancing Career into a Scalable Business? Creating and Selling Stock Photos Producing and vending stock photos emerge as a lucrative opportunity. Women with photography skills can capture and market their images on platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock. By catering to diverse niches and trends, they can monetise their visual creations. 

While the Bangladesh men’s cricket team is struggling in World Cup 2023, the Bangladesh women’s cricket team made history by winning a T20 series against Pakistan at home. These young women might not get as much attention as the men’s cricket team, but they show incredible determination, strength, and skill. Even though they do not get the deserved recognition or pay, the Bangladesh women’s cricket team consistently make all-out efforts. Now, it is high time for Bangladesh to focus on women’s cricket too. Bangladesh Women’s Cricket: Performances in 2023 Bangladesh’s men’s cricket team had faced disappointment three times in the Asia Cup final; the women’s cricket team brought us a championship in the 2018 Asia Cup. Apart from this, Tigressed have other achievements too. Let’s dive deep. ODI This year, the Bangladesh Women’s team has played 5 ODIs and won one match against the India Women’s team. Indian team visited Bangladesh in July 2023 for a three-match ODI series. Tigress got their maiden win against India in the first match on July 16, 2023. Bangladesh Women’s team set a target of 152 for 9 in 43 overs, and India was all out for 113 and lost the match by 40 runs. However, Bangladesh lost the next game. Apart from this, Bangladesh also lost a match against Sri Lanka on May 4, 2023. Further, there was one no result against Sri Lanka, and one match was tied against India. 16 years ago, the women’s cricket team entered international cricket through a match against Thailand in Bangkok. After winning the first two matches, Tigresses took part in the ACC Women’s Tournament and won the title that year.  After that, the Bangladesh team led by Salma Khatun did not have to look back. However, in 2011, the Tigresses achieved an important milestone under coach Mamatha Maben. Despite finishing in 5th place in the Women’s World Cup Qualifier held on their own soil, the Bangladesh team won ODI status for the first time. The Bangladesh women’s cricket team, which entered the top ten in the global rankings, then played a total of 57 ODIs until October 31, 2023, including bilateral and trilateral series. Bangladesh women’s cricket team won 15 ODI matches so far; 5 matches remain without results and tied in one match. Bangladesh women’s team is now ranked eighth in ICC Women’s ODI Rankings. T20I The roar of the Tigresses has been felt in the shortest and most popular version of current cricket, T20. The statistics of 42 wins in 107 matches are not very surprising, but once the top position of the ICC T20 ranking was occupied by the Tigresses. Bangladesh women’s cricket team is now ranked ninth in ICC Women’s T20I Rankings. This year, Tigress played 15 T20I matches on home ground and abroad. But, the team could not get enough success at the beginning of this year. Most recently, they made history by winning a T20I series against Pakistan. Among the 15 T20I matches played this year, the Bangladesh women’s team won only five games. The Bangladesh women’s cricket team has not made it to the finals of the ODI World Cup yet, but they have already competed in three T20 World Cups. In this edition of the World Cup qualifiers, they have been champions twice. In addition, this year, the team led by Nigar Sultana and Jahanara has won three of their last five T20 matches. The Bangladesh women’s cricket team has also achieved significant success in the Asian Games, earning silver medals in both the 2010 and 2014 editions. Read more: Bangladesh win historic Women's T20 series against Pakistan ODI and Test Status On November 24, 2011, Bangladesh achieved ODI status by beating USA with 9 wickets in the 2011 Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier. This victory ensured that Bangladesh would be among the top 6 teams in the tournament and be ranked in the top 10 globally, which was the condition for getting ODI status. In April 2021, the ICC granted permanent Test and One Day International (ODI) status to all full-member women’s teams. But Tigresses are yet to play their debut test match. Bangladesh won the 3-match T20I Series against Pakistan Recently, Bangladeshi women won a T20I series against Pakistan by 2-1, which took place from October 25 to October 29. Bangladesh won the second T20 in a row against Pakistani girls in Chattogram on October 27. The Tigresses were happy to beat Pakistan by 20 runs in the second T20 of the three-match series. In September 2023, Tigresses won the bronze medal by defeating Pakistan in the Asian Games. And winning a series against Pakistan in Bangladesh is another achievement for confident Tigresses. Bangladesh made history by winning the series for the first time in T20I with one match in hand, defeating the Pakistani women by 20 runs in the second match.

Awards are the marks of recognition and encouragement given in honour of any special achievement in certain categories, which also signify the credibility and speciality of a person or any organization. Among all the prestigious awards recognizing deserving individuals and entities across the world, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Asia" stands in today's world as a very special, exclusive and significant one. The award was initiated as an annual badge of honour created to commemorate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of honesty in administration, fearless service to the people, and realistic idealism within a democratic society. Established in 1957 by the New York-based Rockefeller Brothers Fund in cooperation with the Filippino Government, the Ramon Magsaysay Award celebrates the value of integrity, courage, and selfless service of Asian individuals impacting Asian landscapes. There is a reason behind elaborating on awards in this write-up, especially the Ramon Magsaysay Award in particular, as Korvi Rakshand, revered for his social activities as the founder of JAAGO Foundation, has been nominated for the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award in the Emergent Leadership category. With this year's award, Korvi Rakshand joins the distinguished list of 344 outstanding individuals and organisations whose selfless service has offered their societies, Asia, and the world, by offering successful solutions to some of the most intractable problems of human development. JAAGO Foundation Founder Korvi Rakshand wins Ramon Magsaysay Award for dedication to education, social change Through achieving this badge of honour, he also joined the prestigious Hall of Fame of 13 Bangladeshis who won the award in the past. The list includes prominent scientist Firdausi Qadri (2021), environmentalist and social activist Syeda Rizwana Hasan (2012), Founder and Executive Director of Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) AHM Noman Khan (2010), eminent journalist and Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman (2005), eminent educationist Abdullah Abu Sayeed (2004), prominent social worker Angela Gomes (1999), revered village society reformer Mohammad Yeasin (1988), Co-Founder of the Notre Dame College in Dhaka Father Richard William Timm (1987), legendary pharmacist and Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury (1985), Nobel Laureate and founder of Grameen Bank Dr Mohammad Yunus (1984), Brac founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed (1980) and Tahrunnesa Abdullah in 1978, recognized for her pioneering role as a social reformer for Muslim women in society. From educating a little group of children at the capital's Rayer Bazaar slum to being nominated for the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award, Korvi Rakshand has been leading a revolutionary social transformation all over Bangladesh. For an afternoon chat to deep dive into Korvi Rakshan's role as a journeyman, Dhaka Courier recently visited his office at JAAGO's Banani headquarters in the capital. The entire office setting in the complex redirects as a memory lane of JAAGO's monumental journey for the past 16 years in the country, and within the short office tour and an exclusive interview with DC, Korvi Rakshand elaborated on the eventual past, present and future state of his esteemed organization. "The journey of JAAGO Foundation began in 2007 at the Rayer Bazaar slum in the capital, with the initial goal of teaching English to underprivileged children totally free of cost - because we thought this would help them conquer the language barriers in their next career steps, be it inside or outside the country. We were amazed to see the response of those 17 children as they asked about promotions to the next class, which made us realise that they envisioned our initiative as a school, and that led us to begin our first school in the Rayer Bazaar slum. Our efforts began to get recognized by society through several of our activities, but we realised the need to expand our efforts beyond Dhaka. We modelled a curriculum integration of both classroom-based and remote education that tremendously brought success in terms of educating children, especially in the difficult times during the pandemic, and now we are focusing on mainstream quality education and bridging the learning gaps with skill-based education to students who are unable to complete traditional studies. At present, JAAGO works with five focus areas - Education, Youth, Women, Climate Change and Governance, operated by more than 600 employees and more than fifty thousand volunteers across the country." JAAGO schools showcase 22 projects at Annual Science Fair The reason behind selecting the name: "In Bengali, the name 'Jaago' redirects to make someone wake up from sleep. Education is the light beam for society to get up and shine bright, and we consider it our responsibility to initiate the much-needed wake-up call with education. The bold, capitalised wording of JAAGO redirects as an invitation to everyone, to join our movement with love, support and contributions. The vibrant yellow colour is most commonly recognised as the colour of friendship, and that is what we do. We bridge the gap in society as its dedicated friend." On 'Volunteer for Bangladesh': Under Rakshand's visionary leadership, the JAAGO Foundation also initiated the Volunteer for Bangladesh (VBD) program in 2011. VBD has become a youth movement involving more than 50,000 leaders actively working for social betterment. "Although the initial aim and vision of the JAAGO Foundation was to focus on children and education, our responsibility increased upon witnessing the enthusiasm of the youth. We diversified our efforts, addressing various other issues including youth development and women's empowerment and eventually established the 'Volunteers for Bangladesh' (VBD) to bring together proactive individuals who could collaborate and contribute their energy and dedication to our activities. In VBD, our volunteers elect their local leaders and the power is completely decentralised to ensure the desired performances at the grassroots level." Winning the award: "I was travelling and was at an airport when I received a WhatsApp text from an unknown number. The person introduced herself as Susan Afan, President of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, and wanted to initiate a video call. Initially, I assumed that she was going to discuss someone else, and it was really surprising to know when they informed me that I got selected for this year's Ramon Magsaysay Award. Turned out that they have been following the activities of JAAGO for the last five years, and knowing all these has been pretty surreal to me." The present and future: "In 2020, we obtained NGO licensing, enabling us to collaborate with various international organizations. Currently, we partner with organizations such as UNICEF, USAID, and FCDO, and many donors prefer to remain anonymous. At Jaago, anyone can sponsor a child's schooling by contributing BDT 2,000 each month. We introduced an exclusive scholarship program for women students in public universities, to ease their daily lives and economic conditions. Launched last year, we managed to help 100 students and have enlisted 160 students for 2023." "Accolades are obviously inspiring, but personally I think this award will help us thrive with more accountability. I would really consider myself successful when I see that our work motivates the youth to believe in their capacity to bring about change, and I firmly believe that our youths are that capable," Korvi Rakshand told DC, ending the conversation with gratitude. Read more: When local communities unite to co-create a better city: Jhenaidah shows the way

The Myanmar pro-democracy movement must listen to the calls of women and ethnic groups and their vision for federalism, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) said today. On June 29, APHR held a closed-door meeting with women’s rights defenders and activists from Myanmar civil society groups in Chiang Mai, Thailand as part of a series of discussions that aim to provide a platform for gendered perspectives on the crisis in the country, including topics such as federalism, patriarchy, and ethnic inclusion.  UN shines light on humanitarian crisis in Myanmar As long as there has been a civil war in Myanmar, there has been a struggle for ethnic autonomy, including the rights to their land, language, health care, education and traditions. For women, in addition to the fight for ethnic equality, has also been for gender equality. In the current context of post-coup Myanmar, new challenges have emerged and a new struggle for equality across all genders and ethnicities.  “The commitment and dedication of women to Myanmar’s struggle for democracy is evident across the movement,” said APHR Board Member and former Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya. “Federalism cannot exist in Myanmar without democracy, and certainly not without the contributions of women.” US sanctions Myanmar’s defense ministry, 2 regime-controlled banks “The history of Burma is rooted in ongoing conflict. When we look at the creators of conflict, it is very clear it is the Myanmar junta. Women have always been involved in revolutionary acts because we believe in genuine peace,” said Moon Nay Li, Joint General Secretary of the Women’s League of Burma .  While pro-democracy bodies, including the National Unity Government, the National Unity Consultative Council and the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, have called for federalism to defeat the junta, women-led organizations and activists are advocating for a future that is gender-equal as well as federal. Dhaka seeks ASEAN’s active role for repatriation of Rohingyas “Too often, women are told that their pursuits for gender equality are of lesser importance amidst the shared struggle to defeat the junta. These struggles are interconnected as the commitment to end military rule is rooted in ending patriarchal norms and institutions,” said APHR member and member of the Philippines House of Representatives Arlene Brosas. “Women’s rights defenders are critical actors in the pro-democracy movement, and their voices must be amplified to ensure their needs are met and perspectives are heard.” ASEAN leader acknowledges no progress toward ending Myanmar's deadly civil strife During the meeting, the women’s rights defenders and activists were very clear that more reflection needed to be done on how the ‘pro-democracy’ movement is currently progressing. For many, this includes inner work, primarily from the Bamar majority, on how to ‘unlearn’ certain attitudes and beliefs which stem from Burmanization and the patriarchy. Calls were also made to the international community to engage with pro-democracy stakeholders, and not the regime.  “The international community, including ASEAN, must support women human rights defenders and their calls for a more inclusive vision of federalism in Myanmar. Defeating the junta is imperative, but without the participation of women and ethnic people, a democratic Myanmar cannot be sustainable,” said APHR Chair and member of Indonesian House of Representatives Mercy Barends. Alarm over Myanmar, sea feud under ASEAN summit spotlight

There has been no progress in the level of bias against women over the previous ten years, with nearly nine out of ten men and women still believing such prejudices globally, according to a new UN report released on Monday (June 12, 2023). UN Development Programme (UNDP) in its most recent Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) says , "Half of people worldwide still believe men make better political leaders than women, and more than 40% believe men make better business executives than women." Also Read: 9 countries inc. Bangladesh release first national estimates of illicit financial flows with UN support “Social norms that impair women’s rights are detrimental to society more broadly, dampening the expansion of human development,” said Pedro Conceição, head of UNDP’s Human Development Report Office. A staggering 25 per cent of people believe it is justified for a man to beat his wife, according to the report, reflecting the latest data from the World Values Survey. The report said that these biases are to blame for the obstacles women encounter, which have taken the form of the denial of women's rights in many regions of the world, the growth of movements opposing gender equality, and an increase in human rights abuses in some countries. The stark underrepresentation of women in leadership positions is another example of bias in action. Since 1995, the percentage of women serving as heads of State or governments has generally hovered around 10%, and in the job market, they make up less than one-third of executive posts. The report also sheds light on a broken link between women’s progress in education and economic empowerment. Also Read: A child or youth died once every 4.4 seconds in 2021: UN report Women are more skilled and educated than ever before, yet even in the 59 countries where women are now more educated than men, the average gender income gap remains a 39 per cent in favour of men. “Lack of progress on gender social norms is unfolding against a human development crisis,”  Conceição said, noting that the global Human Development Index (HDI) declined in 2020 for the first time on record and again the following year. “Everyone stands to gain from ensuring freedom and agency for women,” he added. The UNDP report emphasized that governments have a crucial role in shifting gender social norms, from adopting parental leave policies, that have changed perceptions around care work responsibilities, to labour market reforms that have led to a change in beliefs around women in the workforce. “An important place to start is recognizing the economic value of unpaid care work,” said Raquel Lagunas, Director of UNDP’s gender team. The report emphasized that despite the continued prevalence of bias against women, the data shows change can happen. Also Read: Rights groups slam severe Taliban restrictions on Afghan women as ‘crime against humanity’ An increase in the share of people with no bias in any indicator was evident in 27 of the 38 countries surveyed. The report authors said that to drive change towards greater gender equality, the focus needs to be on expanding human development through investment, insurance, and innovation. This includes investing in laws and policy measures that promote women’s equality in political participation, scaling up insurance mechanisms, such as strengthening social protection and care systems, and encouraging innovative interventions that could be particularly effective in challenging harmful social norms, patriarchal attitudes, and gender stereotypes. For example, combatting online hate speech and gender disinformation can help to shift pervasive gender norms towards greater acceptance and equality, according to the report. The report recommended directly addressing social norms through education to change people’s views, policies and legal changes that recognize the rights of women in all spheres of life, and more representation in decision-making and political processes. Read more: 90% of countries see decline in human development

Two women were killed in separate road accidents at Chirirbandar Upazila and Nawabganj Upazila of Dinajpur district on Friday. The deceased were identified as Mariam Begum, 50, wife of late Afal Uddin, resident of Khuniyadighi area of Chirirbandar Upazila, and Rashida Begum, 60, wife of late Shamshul Haque, resident of Daudpur area under Nawabganj Upazila. Nur Alam Siddique, Sub-inspector of Chirirbandar Police Station, said that a motorcycle hit Mariam Begum on Friday morning while she was sweeping dried leaves on the road for cooking fuel at Khuniyadighi area, leaving her critically injured. Later, locals rescued her and took her to Chirirbandar Upazila Health Complex where she succumbed to her injuries at noon. Bibhuti Bhushan Roy, Sub-inspector of Nawabganj Police Station, said that pedestrian Rashida Begum was going to Bhaduriya bazar on Friday noon when a picnic bus hit her, leaving her dead on the spot.