More than 10,000 women empowered to build sustainable livelihoods

More than 10,000 ultra-poor and climate-vulnerable women across 12 districts have received support to build sustainable livelihoods, strengthen their economic resilience and move towards a life free from poverty through a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government.

The Local Government Division and UNDP jointly organised a national dissemination workshop at CIRDAP in Dhaka on 29 July 2026 to present the findings of the economic empowerment and livelihood interventions under the SWAPNO-II project.

Implemented by the Local Government Division with technical support from the UNDP and supported by the government of Sweden and Marico, the initiative targeted 10,188 ultra-poor female-headed households across 283 union parishads and 32 upazilas. The participants include women who are widowed, divorced, separated or abandoned, as well as women whose husbands have disabilities that prevent them from earning a minimum income.

Speaking as chief guest, Md Shahidul Hassan, Secretary of the Local Government Division, said the government remained committed to expanding women's access to skills, financial services, economic opportunities and decent livelihoods.

He said the experience showed that a well-designed poverty graduation approach, supported by strong partnerships between the government, development partners, non-government organisations and the private sector, could create lasting and transformative change.

Dr Md Monirul Islam, Joint Secretary of the Local Government Division and National Project Director of SWAPNO-II, said evidence and learning were essential for improving public policy and designing future programmes for ultra-poor and climate-vulnerable women.

"The findings will help us understand what has worked, identify opportunities for improvement and inform future initiatives aimed at strengthening women's economic empowerment, sustainable livelihoods and inclusive local development," he said.

Anowarul Haq, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, delivered the welcome address, while Tasmiah Tabassum Rahman, Portfolio Advisor at Innovision Consulting, presented the assessment findings.

Participants emphasised the importance of using the assessment findings to strengthen future poverty reduction programmes and expand sustainable economic opportunities for vulnerable women across Bangladesh.

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