Social Empowerment

RDRS Bangladesh, in collaboration with prominent organizations including the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and Kathmandu University School of Arts, is implementing the project “Promoting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Schools: Building on What Children Value and Aspire to Do and Be” from 01 March 2024 to 28 February 2027. The project aims to strengthen education systems in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal to teach gender equality and social inclusion while empowering children to actively shape these values. Implemented across five Upazilas of Cox's Bazar district—Cox's Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Ukhiya, Moheshkhali, and Teknaf—the project directly engages 4,500 participants, including students, teachers, and stakeholders, in eight selected schools. Using participatory methodologies, the initiative focuses on creating inclusive and equitable learning environments, ensuring that children’s voices, values, and aspirations guide systemic educational changes for a more gender-equal and inclusive society.

The RDRS Core Comprehensive Program (CCP), supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is a project focused on improving access to health services for disadvantaged communities in Bangladesh, particularly targeting pregnant women, visually impaired individuals, and other marginalized groups in Rangpur Division and Jamalpur districts. Running from 2023 to 2025, the project aims to enhance the quality of life for these groups through various health interventions, including eye health services, reproductive health education, and emergency support for at-risk pregnant women. The project targets 114,965 participants, including women, adolescent girls, individuals with eye conditions, students, and disadvantaged people. It focuses on providing primary eye health services, including screenings, eye camps, and surgeries, with a priority on restoring eyesight for the underserved.

Access to Justice for Women (A2J for Women) is a joint project of the Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (MoLJPA), and GIZ. RDRS Bangladesh is implementing the project in Rangpur District and the project duration is March 2024 to December 2026. The objective of the project is to ensure access to justice is increased for the poor and vulnerable, especially women. The project works to ensure legal representation of justice seekers including prisoners and reduce case backlog through effective case management. The indigent litigants will be assisted in obtaining legal services in coordination with the District Legal Aid Office, Courts, Police Stations, and Prison.

RDRS Bangladesh is implementing the ASHA Project: Impact of Depression Treatment and Economic Strengthening Intervention for Low-Income Women in Rural Bangladesh: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. The project is being implemented in partnership with icddr,b and the University of Massachusetts, USA. The project focuses on low-income women in rural Bangladesh. The primary beneficiaries are 660 low-income women residing in Birganj Upazila of Dinajpur District.

The project addresses the alarming mental health crisis identified by the World Health Organization (WHO), which highlights a significant global burden of mental and psychiatric disorders. This project aims to fill that gap by conducting a community-based study of mental health problems in rural Bangladesh.

Our goal is to create a ripple effect of positive change, empowering women to become self-sufficient and contributing members of their communities. Our project tackles the interconnected issues of mental health and economic hardship. By offering comprehensive support, we're working to break the cycle of poverty and create sustainable solutions. The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

RDRS Bangladesh implements the CNB Project in Kurigram district, Bangladesh, aims to reduce early child and forced marriages. It is funded by Norwegian State Broadcast Corporation (NRK- Telethon) and supported by Plan International, Bangladesh. The CNB project focuses on youth leadership development, economic empowerment of youth and increasing the knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescents. The project directly helps over 18,000 people and reaches over 600,000 through radio.

RDRS Bangladesh is committed to ending the scourge of slavery and human trafficking. Our Fight Slavery and Trafficking in Persons (FSTIP) project, in partnership with USAID-Winrock International, is focused on protecting vulnerable people in northern Bangladesh, including expectant migrants, young people at risk of trafficking, CM survivors, single mothers, ethnic minorities, and trafficked survivors. The project aims to benefit a total of 10,72,176 individuals, including 22,176 direct participants. Implemented across 60 unions within 15 upazilas of Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Joypurhat, and Sirajganj districts.

RDRS Bangladesh, in partnership with the Stromme Foundation, is implementing the Socio-Economic Empowerment with Dignity and Sustainability (SEEDS) Project. This initiative targets 3,000 families from marginalized communities, including indigenous groups, women, youth, and children, in Mithapukur, Badargonj, and Pirgonj Upazilas of Rangpur district.

The SEEDS Project strives to improve the socio-economic well-being of vulnerable families, empowering them to escape poverty with dignity and sustainability. Aligned with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including No Poverty, Good Health, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Climate Action, this initiative seeks to create positive change in communities.

Key activities encompass skill development, formation of self-reliant groups, vocational training, and capacity building for community members to assert their rights and hold local governments accountable. Additionally, the project focuses on providing quality education, empowering adolescents, and promoting sustainable income generation through green jobs and climate-resilient technologies.

RDRS established a Rehabilitation Center in Lalmonirhat to provide shelter and support to women and girls affected by violence. The center promotes women’s rights, offers marketable skills training, basic education, legal and rights-based education, counseling, health care, and recreation. Since 2009, 930 women and girls have benefited from these services, gaining confidence and becoming empowered entrepreneurs.