Equality and justice: Coalition urges greater focus on women’s, children’s rights

As Bangladesh navigates a shifting political landscape, a coalition of leading national and international development organisations has called for renewed and stronger commitments to equality and justice, particularly for women and children.

The Coalition for Advancing Equality and Justice, comprising seven organisations – Breaking the Silence, Save the Children, WaterAid, Oxfam, Manusher Jonno Foundation, JAAGO Foundation, and Plan International Bangladesh – convened a high-level dialogue titled "Equality and Justice in the Changing Landscape of Bangladesh" in Dhaka.

The event aimed to assess the extent to which women's and children's rights have been prioritised in recent electoral manifestos and to identify ways to ensure that these commitments are translated into tangible action in the post-election period.

The dialogue brought together government representatives, policymakers, development partners, civil society actors, rights-based organisations and media representatives for discussions on advancing gender equality and safeguarding rights in a rapidly evolving national context.

The event was attended by Minister of Women and Children Affairs and Minister of Social Welfare Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain as the chief guest, alongside Adviser to the Prime Minister on Policy and Strategy and Cultural Affairs Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, and MP for Dhaka-12 Saiful Alam Khan Milon as special guests. Distinguished guests included Dr Tasnim Jara, Shagufta Bushra Mishma, and Dr Ferdaus Ara Khanam.

On behalf of the coalition, Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh Kabita Bose said, "We sincerely thank all coalition members for their collective efforts in making this analysis possible. While women and children make up nearly half of the population, their voices are still too often overlooked. This election presents a critical opportunity to advance their inclusion, underscoring the urgency of prioritising their meaningful participation for inclusive and sustainable development. As development and humanitarian agencies, we hope to see this commitment to inclusion consistently reflected across all sectors to ensure the wellbeing of women and children."

In recent months, the coalition has engaged with 14 political parties, presenting evidence-based recommendations to ensure that women's and children's rights are meaningfully reflected in electoral commitments. The dialogue served as a platform to review these commitments and to emphasise the need for accountability, implementation, and long-term investment in gender equality.

Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain said, "The existence of laws addressing violence against women and children is not enough without proper enforcement. This government is committed to ensuring their full implementation and will adopt a zero-tolerance stance against all forms of such violence. There will be no compromise on women's welfare and rights."

Speakers highlighted that while progress has been made, persistent challenges remain, including gender-based violence, limited representation of women in decision-making processes, and gaps in access to essential services. The discussion emphasised that advancing equality requires not only policy commitments, but also sustained financing, institutional strengthening, and inclusive participation at all levels.

The coalition also called for the establishment of a Department of Children's Affairs to ensure that children are prioritised in all risk- and safety-related concerns.

The dialogue further reinforced the importance of collaboration among the government, civil society, and development partners in driving systemic change. Participants called for stronger coordination, inclusive policymaking, and continued engagement with grassroots organisations to ensure that the voices of women and vulnerable groups are heard and reflected in national decision-making.

As Bangladesh enters a new phase of its development journey, the coalition reaffirmed its commitment to working collectively to advance a future in which equality, justice and dignity are upheld for all.

The event ended with a shared call to action for all stakeholders to move beyond commitments and deliver measurable progress for women and children across the country.