Bangladesh Women’s Humanitarian Platform (BWHP) launched

To address gender-based violence (GBV) during crisis, thirty- two women rights organisations  jointly launched Bangladesh Women’s Humanitarian Platform (BWHP).

BWHP will aim to understand humanitarian  crises from a gender perspective which will be inclusive of the needs and challenges for women and girls during disasters, according to Nazmun Nahar, gender justice manager of Oxfam. She said, “BWHP will advocate for improved data on sexual violence and human trafficking, and more media and public awareness. Women and gender issue is for everyone working in humanitarian crisis as well as all kinds of emergencies.”

The event took place at CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka organized by Oxfam.

Mia Seppo, United Nation’s Resident Coordinator, did the official announcement at the launching event.

She said, the platform will ensure effective humanitarian response for women, girls and children in Bangladesh.

“Disasters don’t discriminate but people do. Disasters reinforce, perpetuate and then increase gender inequality, making a bad situation for women,” she said.

According to the Asia Foundation’s State of Conflict and Violence in Asia, Bangladesh report: “Women and girls face various forms of gender-based violence, including domestic, physical and psychological abuse, dowry-related, rape, and early marriage. Deeply rooted patriarchal social norms and traditional practices and a weak and corrupt criminal justice system enable such violence.”

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