Background

Communities in Gopalganj district, including Raghunathpur, Radhaganj, Kalikabari, Dighalia and Khagbari face acute challenges, including child marriage, sexual harassment, drug abuse, limited youth-friendly health services and climate-induced livelihood changes. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, while young people often lack safe spaces, career guidance and leadership opportunities. Bangladesh YWCA, in partnership with Y Global, seeks to address these community-level vulnerabilities through targeted interventions.

Goal

To empower women and youth in selected communities of Gopalganj by strengthening their safety, health, livelihoods, leadership, and resilience to climate and social challenges.

Objectives:

• Raise awareness on SRHR and reduce child marriage in targeted villages.
• Establish safe spaces and strengthen protection systems for girls and young women.
• Provide vocational and entrepreneurship training for marginalized youth and women in local communities.
• Develop youth leadership for participation in community decision-making.
• Promote climate adaptation and sustainable practices through education and community-based initiatives.

Over the course of the year, YWCA of Gopalganj, in collaboration with the Y Global initiative, carries out diverse programs focused on gender equality, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, and mental health awareness. These activities reflect joint efforts to enhance community participation, foster leadership, and ensure safe and inclusive spaces for women, young people, and adolescents.

Activity

YWCA of Bangladesh is actively engaging youth and community members through initiatives on gender justice, climate awareness, mental health, and recreation.

In Kotalipara upazila, four Gender Activist Groups are functioning in Dighlia, Khagbari, Char Narayandia, and Raghunathpur, with 40 active members. These groups are raising awareness on early marriage, gender discrimination, and violence against women. Orientation program on gender, SRHR, and leadership is organized with  participants, equipping them with knowledge to promote equality and prevent gender-based violence.

Dialogue with civil society, religious leaders, and local representatives strengthens collaboration among YWCA, environmental clubs, adolescent girls’ groups, and gender groups, engaging the participants.

Yard meetings are conducted to reach  community members on issues of gender discrimination, GBV, and SRHR. In addition, selective youths are receiving training in tailoring, hand embroidery, and beautification from the Department of Women’s Affairs, and certificates are awarded upon completion.

Environmental action is progressing through two Green Clubs established in Charpara and Karalgati of Gopalganj, with 30 youth members. The clubs are engaged in orientation on climate justice, disaster preparedness, and environmental protection. They initiate tree plantation campaigns, distributing saplings in the community, and conduct a climate justice campaign titled “Clean for Green” which includes a rally and discussions on climate change adaptation and conservation.

Mental health and wellbeing are also addressed through a workshop. The session focuses on stress management and mindfulness, with youth and women participants.

To promote youth engagement and recreation, local popular games are organized in Gopalganj with teenage girls and youth members from the Gender Activist Groups and Green Club, fostering teamwork, recreation, and community bonding.

Through these ongoing initiatives, YWCA of Bangladesh is empowering youth, advancing gender equality, strengthening environmental awareness, and promoting holistic wellbeing in the community.