Empower: Women for climate Resilient Societies (PHASE-2)

Funded by UN Women

Implemented by Manusher Jonno Foundation

 

Project Title: Strengthening the capacity and leadership of women leaders, civil society organizations, and other marginalized groups in climate actions and decision-making

 

Bangladesh, an active delta region, is highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters. The country deals with profound climate-related threats, including severe sudden onset events such as floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves, and slow onset events like salinization and desertification, all of which lead to considerable economic and human losses. Women in Bangladesh bear a disproportionate burden of the impacts of climate change, primarily due to their dependence on natural resources, restricted access to essential resources and decision-making processes, and prevailing cultural norms. However, women are frequently more vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Still, they also possess invaluable knowledge and skills that enable them to serve as powerful agents of change. Acknowledging and empowering women in climate action is crucial for developing sustainable and equitable solutions. Since December 2016, MJF has extended its commitment to addressing climate change, acknowledging the disproportionate effects it has on marginalized communities, particularly women and girls, with financial support from the Government of Sweden. MJF has engaged with a range of national and international platforms, including CANSA BD, GOBESHONA, LTWG, and NAWG, as well as a newly established National Platform on Locally Led Adaptation in Bangladesh, to facilitate effective knowledge dissemination. The “EmPower: Women for Climate Resilient Societies (Phase-II)” project, implemented by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) with financial support from UN Women, aims to contribute to building climate-resilient societies through women’s empowerment and inclusive community engagement. Launched in November 2023, the project focuses on increasing awareness, knowledge, and action related to gender-based violence (GBV), gender-responsive climate change adaptation, and disaster preparedness among women, youth, adolescents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and other marginalized communities. The project promotes gender-responsive approaches in addressing climate change, disasters, and GBV by engaging both community members and government institutions. It seeks to transform knowledge, attitudes, and practices to make systems and responses more inclusive, equitable, and supportive of vulnerable populations. A key focus of the EmPower project is strengthening the leadership and capacity of women leaders, women-led civil society organizations (CSOs), and marginalized groups in climate action and decision-making processes. Through enhanced skills, knowledge, networking opportunities, and resources, women-led CSOs are empowered to actively participate in climate resilience efforts, influence adaptation and mitigation strategies, and lead sustainable community-based women led climate adaptation initiatives. The project is currently being implemented across 5 climate-vulnerable Districts of Bangladesh: Kurigram, Khulna, Satkhira, Jamalpur, and Cox’s Bazar, through partnership with 10 consortium women-led CSOs working at the grassroots level to strengthen women’s leadership, climate resilience, and community empowerment. Under the project, a Women in Climate Action Network (WCAN) was established, engaging 100 women-led CSOs across 10 Upazillas within the 5 Districts. Through this network, MJF has strengthened local-level advocacy by creating platforms for accessing local services, enhancing collaboration with local stakeholders, and fostering engagement with government officials and duty bearers.

 

 

Goal: To achieve a resilient society through women empowerment.

 

Output:

• Enhanced capacity of LGIs, CSOs and communities especially and engaged in proactive actions.
• Developed a network of women-led civil society organization and ensured participation in CoP network.
• Enhanced understanding of government institutions working for climate change/DRR/gender equality/GBV on local situations.
• Captured knowledge and produced knowledge products and communication materials and disseminated.
• Enhanced resilience of the most vulnerable Women in the flood and cyclone-affected areas.

 

Major Activity:

• Capacity building of communities, LGIs and virtual training for CSO staff
• Support to communities for implementing gender responsive adaptation scheme.
• Virtual meeting with Network members.
• Organizing the annual CoP Network Convention.
• Organize meeting consultation and dialogue (District level meeting, Upazila level meeting, Farmers Dialogue, Exchange visit)
• Production of knowledge product and communication materials
• Disaster response support

 

Beneficiaries: Women, youth and adolescent girls, women led CSO leaders, Person with Disability (PWD) and indigenous people of the climate effected area.

 

Number of Beneficiaries: 13897 Direct beneficiaries.

 

Implementation area:

 

District	Upazila
Jamalpur	Islampur and Dewanganj Upazila
Khulna	Koyra and Dacope Upazila
Kurigram	Kurigram Sadar and Chilmari Upazila
Satkhira	Shyamnagar and Kaliganj Upazila
Coxbazar	Chokoria and Teknaf Upazila of CoxBazar

 

Total Budget: 4,5531530 Taka

Project timeline: November 2023 – June 2026