YWCA promotes peace by building trust, fostering reconciliation, and encouraging democratic practices. By including marginalized voices and strengthening active citizenship, it helps communities create harmony, justice, and resilience. 

The Constitution of Bangladesh stipulates everyone has fair and equal access to the basic needs for their well-being – such as food, clean water, shelter, education, healthcare, and a decent living environment. Everyone irrespective of their gender, race, sex, sexual orientation, profession, or religion has   the right to secure justice from any kind of violent, inhuman acts. In Bangladesh, communities are in a transitional phase to overcome socio-economic and cultural barriers to grow as a middle-income country. Unequal distribution of wealth and lack of equal income opportunities increases the gap between rich and poor populations, thus causing unrest and anger among the population. Minority and ethnic communities feel threatened and hostile in protecting their indigenous culture and livelihood. Psycho-social state of majoritarianism often inflames suppression against minorities. Taboos and socio-religious stigma manifested conflict among the majority population too. Current trends of religious fundamentalism appeared in the form of conflict in society.

Against this backdrop, YWCA believes peace with justice should be focused on the next five years SP process. Peace with justice aims to prevent the outbreak, escalation, continuation, and recurrence of violence or tensions. It is a long-term and collaborative process that seeks to address the underlying causes of conflict, helping people to resolve their differences peacefully and lay the foundations to prevent future violence. Peacebuilding strengthens a society’s capacity to enhance trust between individuals and between groups in a society/community/country and manage conflict in non-violent ways. It requires bringing different actors and stakeholders together that are engaged and affected in a conflict situation. YWCA needs to work together to understand their different context, and perspectives and define priorities to eliminate barriers to peace. This will enable communities resilient to prevent violence, establish the rule of law and initiate practices of democratic norms.

In SDG goal 16, this issue of peacebuilding is prioritized and talks about peace, stability, human rights, and effective governance for the sustainability of development. During the SP process participants discussed the current context and causes of conflict and violence and agreed to initiate an approach to build peace as a preventive measure to mitigate conflict and prevent violence. YWCA deliberately considers the conflict dynamics among the community groups in their working locations, especially which are more sensitive, while developing and implementing projects and contributing to peace. YWCA brings different groups together to build trust and promote reconciliation. YWCA includes marginalized groups and active citizenship initiatives in the peace process and supports them to strengthen harmony and peace in the community. This peace-building approach would initiate dialogue among the community actors guided by an approach to develop critical mass against violence in the community.

Objectives

• To promote peace at individual and societal levels for ensuring social safety, justice, and democratic norms.
• To mobilize civil society and develop critical mass from the community to act collectively and influence duty bearers to ensure their democratic rights, peace, and justice for all.

Outcomes

• Woman, young women, and girls’ participation are ensured, and voices are heard in establishing peace, justice, and social harmony.
• A sensitized community developed towards restoring peace and social harmony and act proactively to prevent conflict

Actions

• Promote the concept and process of peacebuilding through dialogue, learning, sharing events like workshops and training, etc.
• Build skills and capacity of the community organizations, and YWCA members on process and techniques of peacebuilding and reconciliation.
• Promote Inclusion and participation of the different faith leaders, young women and girls, and civil society organizations in peace with justice initiatives/campaigns.

Achievements

The YWCA of Bangladesh is steadfast in its mission to promote peace, justice, and the empowerment of women and marginalized groups. Through structured programs on advocacy, capacity building, awareness raising, and dialogue facilitation, the YWCA strengthens community resilience, encourages inclusive civic participation, and nurtures a culture of harmony and social cohesion.

During the year, approximately 4,000 individuals participated in programs conducted by the National YWCA in collaboration with 13 local branches, reflecting the organization’s wide-reaching influence in fostering peace, equity, and human rights awareness.

1. Capacity-Building and Training Initiatives

Objective: To equip youth, educators, and community members with knowledge, skills, and strategies to actively participate in peacebuilding, governance, and human rights advocacy.

Key activities included:

• Peace and Justice Training:
  • Led by legal advisors and program organizers.
  • Covered concepts of peace, justice, fundamental rights, and good governance.
  • Participants: Youth groups, educators, and community leaders.
  • Outcome: Strengthened understanding of rights-based advocacy and conflict resolution approaches.
• Women’s Peace and Security Discussion:
  • Focused on women’s role in peacebuilding, gender equality, youth engagement, and human rights protection.
  • Participants: Community members from diverse backgrounds.
  • Outcome: Enhanced awareness of women’s participation in peace and security, and strategies for community-level engagement.

2. Advocacy for Social Harmony and Civic Participation

Objective: To foster social cohesion, interfaith harmony, and inclusive civic participation among communities.

• Advocacy for Social Peace Sessions:
  • Targeted parents and caregivers to promote understanding of social advocacy strategies, issue identification, and interfaith harmony.
  • Outcome: Increased community-level awareness and active parental engagement in peacebuilding initiatives.
• Civil Society Dialogue:
  • Engaged local leaders, government officials, and NGO representatives in discussions to enhance programming for women and children.
  • Outcome: Strengthened multi-stakeholder collaboration, ensuring inclusive approaches in planning and service delivery.

3. Observance of International and National Days

Objective: To highlight rights, inclusion, and empowerment of marginalized populations and raise public awareness.

• International Disability Day:
  • Theme: “Inclusive Participation of Persons with Disabilities Will Ensure SDG Achievement.”
  • Participants: Community members, youth, and representatives of organizations supporting persons with disabilities.
  • Outcome: Promoted inclusivity and emphasized the importance of participation in achieving sustainable development goals.
• International Human Rights Day:
  • Activities: Seminars, discussions, and community events across program areas.
  • Outcome: Strengthened understanding of human rights and responsibilities among participants.
• World Indigenous Peoples Day:
  • Activities: Rally, dialogue, and awareness sessions on Indigenous youth empowerment.
  • Participants: Youth, women, community members.
  • Outcome: Amplified the voices of Indigenous communities and fostered youth engagement in civic and social initiatives.

4. Follow-up and Planning

Objective: To ensure continuity, monitoring, and effective implementation of peace and justice initiatives.

• Peace and Harmony Team Meetings:
  • Regular follow-up meetings with YWCA team members and community representatives.
  • Activities: Review progress, plan upcoming initiatives, and address challenges.
  • Outcome: Improved coordination, accountability, and sustained community engagement in peacebuilding activities.

5. Impact and Achievements

Through these initiatives, the YWCA of Bangladesh has achieved:

1. Engagement of over 4,000 individuals across communities, youth groups, and civil society organizations.
2. Enhanced awareness of peace, justice, gender equality, and human rights.
3. Strengthened interfaith harmony and civic engagement, particularly among marginalized groups, women, and youth.
4. Active participation in national-level advocacy and dialogue platforms, ensuring YWCA’s perspective contributes to policy and program development.
5. Built sustainable community networks and local partnerships for long-term social cohesion and empowerment.

Conclusion

The YWCA of Bangladesh demonstrates a holistic approach to peace and justice, combining advocacy, capacity building, awareness raising, and inclusive dialogue. By integrating training, policy engagement, and community mobilization, YWCA ensures that women, youth, and marginalized communities are not only empowered but also actively participate in shaping a democratic, equitable, and harmonious society.