The EU has joined Canada and Switzerland to support Nagorikota in Bangladesh, strengthening civic engagement to advance SDGs, prioritising women, girls and marginalised communities through inclusive governance and rights.
The European Union has joined Global Affairs Canada and Switzerland in supporting Nagorikota, a civic engagement programme aimed at strengthening civil society and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Bangladesh, with a focus on empowering women, girls and marginalised communities.
Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid highlighted the significance of the initiative while speaking as the chief guest at the Nagorikota Civic Engagement Celebration held on Monday at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka.
She said stronger action on gender equality, human rights and inclusive governance is essential for Bangladesh to achieve the SDGs, as women, children and marginalised groups continue to face disproportionate risks.
Bangladesh, a country of more than 160 million people, has made notable socio-economic progress over recent decades. However, persistent challenges in governance, human rights protection and gender equality remain major barriers to the full implementation of the global goals.
She stressed the need to prioritise SDG-5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment and SDG-16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, describing them as foundational to building a just, peaceful and inclusive society.
Explaining the concept, Sharmeen S Murshid said Nagorikota, Bangladesh’s civic identity and engagement framework, is not merely a legal status but a symbol of dignity, rights and opportunity. “For women, girls and children, recognition of Nagorikota is critical to ensuring access to education, healthcare, safety and social inclusion,” she said.
She said the government’s vision is to ensure that no woman, child or marginalised person is denied education, healthcare or social protection due to lack of identity. To this end, Nagorikota-related efforts are focusing on expanding local-level services, strengthening digital inclusion and increasing public awareness.
“Sustainable development is only possible when women are empowered and children are protected,” the adviser said, adding that coordinated efforts among the government, civil society organisations and communities are key to building a more humane and inclusive society.
Referring to the Civic Engagement Fund, she said the programme, known as Nagorikota, aims to empower diverse citizens of Bangladesh, particularly women, girls and marginalised people, by amplifying their voices and ensuring their rights to equality, privacy, freedom of expression and access to information. She described it as a timely and strategic platform to activate civil society and strengthen accountable engagement between citizens and the state.
The event was also addressed by Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh, Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli, Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shahin Anam, Director General of the Department of Women Affairs Jinat Ara and NGO Affairs Bureau Director Dr KM Mamun Uzzaman.
The speakers underscored the importance of inclusive Nagorikota, civic engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration to advance gender equality, protect vulnerable communities and strengthen civic space and democratic governance in Bangladesh.
