By G M Forhadul Mozumder (Dhaka Bureau)
Standing at a historic crossroads of social transformation and state reform, the youth of Bangladesh have delivered a bold message to the world: ‘Women will no longer merely bear the outcomes of policy decisions- they will sit at the decision-making table and shape them directly.’ Under this guiding vision, the landmark year-long national initiative titled ‘She Leads Tomorrow’ successfully drew to a close.
Funded by the UN Joint SDG Fund and jointly implemented by UN Women, UNOPS, and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh, the project evolved into a vital social movement. From September 2025 to August 2026, the 12-month program provided hands-on leadership, advocacy, and civic empowerment training to more than 1,000 adolescent girls and young women across public schools, madrasahs, and marginalized communities in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rajshahi.
The national dissemination and knowledge-sharing event at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka marked the completion of the project’s inaugural phase, bringing together policymakers, diplomats, youth leaders, and civil society advocates.
Gender Equality and Sustainable State Architecture (SDG 5 & SDG 16)
Designed as a strategic model for localizing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), the initiative integrated local civic action with global sustainable development goals.
International representatives and civil society stakeholders emphasized that investing in young women’s leadership is not an act of charity, but a high-yield social and political investment essential for strengthening democratic institutions and fostering national resilience.
High-Level Endorsements: A Paradigm Shift in Governance
Key statements from distinguished guests highlighted a clear vision for an inclusive and forward-looking Bangladesh:
* Dr. Zubaida Rahman (Vice President, Ziaur Rahman Foundation: ‘When young women are given the opportunity to lead, they do not just transform their own lives or communities- they fortify the sustainable future of the entire nation.’
* Jonaed Abdur Rahim Saki (State Minister for Planning and Member of Parliament): ‘Fostering decision-making opportunities for young women today is an essential prerequisite for building strong institutions and an inclusive Bangladesh tomorrow.’
* Prof. Dr. S. M. Abdul-Awal (Chief Coordinator for SDG Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office): ‘SDG localization means translating global and national commitments into tangible realities for local communities. In that journey, the active partnership of young women from all walks of life is imperative.’
To celebrate the project’s success, a photographic ‘Coffee Table Book’ has been published and a photography exhibition organized; these serve as a vivid record of the daily struggles and triumphs of young women on their journey of development. Photo: Collected.
Unlocking New Frontiers: Politics, Diplomacy, and the Media
Following the opening session, three high-level thematic panel discussions were convened to explore strategies for expanding women’s meaningful representation across key sectors:
1. Women and Politics: Ensuring effective political representation, moving beyond token participation to strategic leadership in local governance and national decision-making structures.
2. Women and Diplomacy: Cultivating a new generation of skilled female diplomats to represent the nation in international policy arenas and peace-building dialogues.
3. The Role of Media in Gender Equality: Shifting the journalistic narrative from viewing women primarily as passive victims of conflict or vulnerability to recognizing them as active architects of social change.
Breaking Barriers: From Classrooms to Madrasahs
A key strength of the project was its deliberate inclusion of diverse socio-economic backgrounds. The initiative reached beyond urban university campuses to engage girls from rural areas, public educational institutions, madrasahs, and traditionally excluded communities.
To mark the culmination of these personal journeys, a commemorative ‘Coffee Table Book’ and a photovoice exhibition titled ‘She Leads Tomorrow’ were unveiled at the event, capturing real-life stories of courage, resilience, and grassroots leadership.
Global Impact: ‘The Bangladesh Model for SDG Localisation’
Reiterating the core philosophy of the 2030 Agenda, Carol Flore-Smereczniak, Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, emphasized: ‘To achieve sustainable development, no one can be left behind.’
A major outcome highlighted during the event was the formulation of the ‘Bangladesh Model for SDG Localisation’- a scalable, collaborative framework designed to strengthen local ownership and place young women at the heart of sustainable governance.
Furthermore, Sudhir Muralidharan (Country Manager, UNOPS Bangladesh & Bhutan) and Gitanjali Singh (UN Women Representative in Bangladesh) underscored the necessity of establishing an enabling environment- one where safety, family support, freedom of expression, and institutional access allow young women to exercise their leadership without barrier or fear.
The Dawn of a Continuing Journey
The conclusion of the 12-month ‘She Leads Tomorrow’ project is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a far-reaching social trajectory. As these 1,000 young women step into roles across media, civil society, diplomacy, and public administration, they will serve not as mere metrics, but as active changemakers.
For Pressenza, which advocates tirelessly for nonviolence, human rights, and social justice globally, this emergence of young female leadership in Bangladesh represents an inspiring milestone in the global movement toward a more equitable and peaceful world.
G M Forhadul Mozumder: Staff Correspondent, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
