In times of political change, the threat of abuse of power and discrimination persists. It is crucial to support individuals and groups who stand up for the rights of everyone.

Minara Khatun does something that some residents in her village of Nachole have a problem with: she plays football. And she‘s very good at it. The teenager scores plenty of goals in her spare time but is criticised because it is considered indecent. At the end of last year, religious zealots stormed a football pitch in Joypurhat and forcibly stopped the women‘s teams from playing. But Minara refuses to be deterred. On the contrary, she stands up for her rights and supports other girls in not letting themselves be oppressed and patronised in a male-dominated society.

Whether it‘s girls who aren‘t allowed to leave the house alone, indigenous people being driven from their land, or other violent conflicts: human rights defenders - volunteers from the heart of the village community - work in NETZ‘s projects to empower those who have no power and are deprived of their rights. The activists are local contacts who support victims and transform conflicts without violence. They prevent child marriages, intervene in cases of domestic violence, and mediate in practical problems such as lack of access to water or roads. They hold regular meetings to address these issues and receive further training.

Human rights groups established in secondary schools as part of the projects lay the foundation for the next generation to address major social challenges. Sexual harassment, the exclusion of social groups and people living in poverty, religious conflicts – young people are addressing these issues and seeking ways to create a peaceful society.

What we have planned for 2025

During Bangladesh‘s current political changes, protecting human rights remains crucial. It is essential to empower women, girls, and marginalised communities.Therefore, we aim to provide new support to 550 human rights committees and 116 secondary schools.