Diakonia works in partnership with NGOs in Bangladesh, increasing awareness and respect for human rights and improving access to social and economic resources. Diakonia and its partner organizations work mostly in the rural areas of Bangladesh.

Extreme poverty

Bangladesh is a poor and overpopulated country of 164 million people (2010). The country is vulnerable to natural disasters. About a third of the country is flooded annually during the rainy season. There are also problems with political stability, poor infrastructure, governance and insufficient power supplies.

There has been a significant economic growth during the last decade, but the country still suffers from extreme poverty, political instability, poor infrastructure, corruption, and insufficient power supplies. About 50 per cent of the population survive on less than 1 USD a day.

150 young women joined with Diakonia's partner organization Manab Kallyan Parished (MKP) for a bicycle rally in Thakurgaon on 8th of March 2012. The young women became the focus of attention and their claim for public transport and being able to move around freely and participate in society was well heard.

Women face violence

Diakonia and its partners consider gender inequality as one of the major problems in Bangladesh. Many women are facing genderbased violence and exploitation. It is an obstacle to social, political and economic development. Bangladesh has a tradition of deeply rooted patriarchy with male domination in every sphere of society, which has resulted in unequal power distribution among the sexes. Women are thereby subjected to dicscrimination on an economic, social and political level. The HIV pandemic is also of great concern, as are problems related to the inadequate protection and promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

With a special focus on women and youth, Diakonia and its partner organisations work to increase the awareness and respect for human rights by involving community leaders and actors in civil society, local government, media and law enforcement agencies. Through this focus, there have been successful cases of communities preventing child marriages and violence against women by forming village action groups.

Main thematic areas

The thematic areas of Diakonia’s work in Bangladesh are:

• gender equality
• human rights
• democracy 
• social and economic justice

Shobuja in Bangladesh works as a helmsman and is a part of her village´s emergency relief group. Photo: Steven Welch

People changing the world Shobuja in Bangladesh has taken the lead in her own life. She works as a helmsman and is a part of her village´s emergency relief group. Thus she works with the preparations of the next flood and help people when the disaster has struck. Increased gender equality brings quality to life 16-year old Sagorika, was refused to appear in her Final School Exam. The reason: she did not write her father’s name on her student information form. Now, after two years of struggle and legal proceedings – authorities cannot refuse any children like Sagorika and their mothers to their rights and access to education – law is now on their side. Mothers' recognized and a law changed Strategic work plan Diakonia's work is based on a strategic workplan, covering both short term and long term goals. For updated information on specific issues, please contact us. Contact information List of partner organizations in Asia Further information Read more about Diakonia's work in Bangladesh, our partner organizations and the achievements we have accompolished. Diakonia in Bangladesh