A UN report reveals distressing statistics, indicating that 20% of households in Kurigram are grappling with malnutrition and food insecurity, as disclosed in the “Bangladesh Chronic Food Insecurity Situation 2019–2024” report released this Wednesday.
Highlighting the challenges faced by these households, the report notes a heavy dependence on unskilled daily labor, marginal farming, and traditional fishing, especially in areas susceptible to recurrent shocks like floods, riverbank erosion, and dry spells.
To address this critical situation, a collaborative effort led by the resident coordinator in Bangladesh brought together teams from FAO, IFAD, WFP, and UN Women for a two-day visit to Kurigram. Their mission was to explore innovative ways to bolster support for women through existing food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and climate change adaptation programs.
The report underscores the positive impact of UN programs on empowering women at the grassroots level. Through these initiatives, small-scale farmers and agribusinesses gain access to finance, insurance, training, and crucial information on market conditions and weather advisories, ultimately improving food and nutrition security for rural families.
Reflecting on the mission, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, emphasized the importance of increasing women’s empowerment, stating, “I am amazed by what Bangladesh’s women farmers can achieve when provided the opportunity.”
Among the interventions, IFAD’s PROVATi project stood out, increasing resilience and sustainability for 303,000 rural families in Kurigram. The project uniquely integrated gender-based learning systems to promote behavioral changes in families.
WFP’s Building Resilience for Zero Hunger project also played a vital role, engaging women farmers in Jatrapur in discussions about farming activities adapted to seasonal patterns to mitigate financial risks.
Domenico Scalpelli, WFP head of agency, highlighted their commitment beyond agricultural aid, focusing on empowering women for positive changes in families and communities.
Jiaoqun Shi, FAO representative in Bangladesh, shared the success of FAO’s Missing Middle Initiative, which enhances access to finance and markets for smallholder farmers, especially female farmers.
Despite gains in gender equality, challenges persist, as emphasized by Gitanjali Singh, country representative of UN Women. Urgent attention is needed to address social norms, provide dedicated spaces for women in markets, and alleviate the care burden.
The UN mission aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022–2026 and the “Making Food Systems Work for Women and Girls Coalition for Action” initiative, aiming to advance gender equality and create sustainable and resilient agrifood systems. Urgent actions, program designs, infrastructural support, and skills development projects are essential to include more women and achieve greater economic participation in productive activities.
