Masrur Karim
In a groundbreaking initiative, Pathchola Foundation, Safepad Bangladesh, and Startup Chattogram, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh, have launched a transformative programme aimed at empowering Hijra communities through skill and employment initiatives. This project, focusing on two major issues—empowerment in the RMG sector and the production of sanitary napkins made from recycled ocean, river, and pond plastics—trained 16 Hijra, sex workers, and PLHIV in both hard and soft skills. Participants received training in sanitary napkin production, eco-friendly packaging, marketing, communication, mental health, public relations, and climate awareness. Following this, Pathchola Foundation led a gender sensitization programme with Safepad for 50 mainstream RMG staff to promote social inclusion within the sector. This three-month project, successfully empowering its participants, aligns with SDGs 1, 5, 13, and 17. Manisha Meem Nipun, Pathchola Foundation co-founder and project leader, emphasized their goal of empowering Hijra, sex workers, and PLHIV across all sectors, ensuring no one is left behind. Nipun, a prominent figure in the Hijra community, is the first Hijra recipient of the Sheikh Hasina National Youth Volunteer Award 2020 and The Diana Award 2022. She also serves as the first Hijra UNDP-Movers Programme Youth Ambassador in Bangladesh. The project was supported by Startup Chattogram as the communication partner, Safepad Bangladesh as the RMG partner, and UNDP in Bangladesh as the funding partner.
