A 21-member advisory committee has been formed in Barishal to strengthen coordination, improve livelihoods, expand basic services and promote social inclusion of the marginalized Manta fisherfolk community.
A 21-member advisory committee has been formed to support the socio-economic development of the historically marginalized Manta fisherfolk community under the Asia Foundation-supported Manta Connect project.
The decision was taken at a stakeholder meeting held on Sunday morning at the Barishal Sadar Upazila Auditorium. The meeting brought together representatives from local government institutions, development organizations, NGOs and community leaders. Discussions focused on strengthening coordination to improve livelihoods, expand access to basic services and advance the long-term social inclusion of the floating fishing community.
Barishal Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mosammat Farida Sultana attended the meeting as the chief guest and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the rights, dignity and inclusion of the Manta community in mainstream development processes.
The session was chaired by Md. Arifur Rahman Shuvo, general secretary of YouthNet Global.
Participants included elected representatives from Tungibaria Union Parishad and Charbaria Union Parishad, teachers from Singherkathi Government Primary School, local journalists, representatives of small-scale fishermen’s associations, religious leaders including imams and purohits, NGO representatives and community leaders (Sardars) from the Manta community, who shared their lived experiences and key challenges.
The advisory committee is expected to serve as a coordination platform for advocacy, planning and sustained engagement to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Manta community while supporting better access to services, livelihoods and integration into broader development frameworks.
Participants expressed hope that the initiative would help translate the community’s long-standing needs into coordinated and practical interventions on the ground.
