Sweden, UN women to boost gender equality in BD

Staff Reporter :

In a bid to reduce gender discrimination and advance gender equality in Bangladesh, Sweden and UN Women have signed a partnership agreement worth $7.1 million to promote women’s rights within families, society, and the state. The agreement was formalized at the UN Women office in the capital and aims to support the implementation of UN Women’s Strategic Note for Bangladesh until 2026.

The $7.1 million grant will focus on gender-responsive programming in three key areas: Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, Gender-Responsive Governance, and Humanitarian Action, including the Rohingya Response.

It will foster collaboration with various partners, including government bodies, civil society organizations, women’s rights organizations (WROs), academic institutions, and media, all aimed at furthering Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development while upholding the principle of “Leave No One Behind.”

Additionally, the partnership will strengthen advocacy efforts for gender equality at the intergovernmental level, particularly in light of significant upcoming milestones, such as the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) and the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security, as well as the Commission on the Status of Women.

“Sweden firmly believes that gender equality is essential for building a sustainable, democratic, and inclusive society. We are excited to partner with UN Women to advance gender equality and empower women and girls in Bangladesh. By working together, we can ensure that women and girls have the opportunity to lead, thrive, and contribute to a more inclusive and just society,” said Nicolas Weeks, Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh.

UN Women Representative Gitanjali Singh expressed gratitude to Sweden for its continued support and strategic partnership, stating, “This is a pivotal moment for women’s rights as we mark the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.”

“This collaboration and shared commitment to gender equality with Sweden enable UN Women to continue its life-saving work in disaster risk reduction and in the Rohingya Response. It also allows UN Women to expand its efforts so that women and girls have a voice and the resources to influence actions that make gender equality a lived reality,” she further noted.

Despite progress in various sectors, women in Bangladesh still face discrimination, exclusion, and injustice in many areas. The implementation of existing laws often falls short, leaving women with minimal influence in decision-making processes.