Centre for Peace and Justice of BRAC University has engaged young female students of two regional public universities under ‘Empowered Women, Peaceful Communities’
project of UN WOMEN, Bangladesh from June 2018 to March 2019. CPJ has been implementing this project with Dr. Wazed Research and Training Institute of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) and Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU), Mymensingh.
Centre for Peace and Justice
Empowering Young Women:
Promoting Peaceful, Cohesive &
Prosperous Bangladesh
Three Key Activities
Facilitate female student-led activities and network in the field of peace and social cohesion
Enhance evidence on the role of youth in promoting peace and social cohesion
Improve leadership capacity of female students towards promoting peace & cohesion in the community
CPJ organised a series of 3-day ‘Women Entrepreneurship Training’ for female students of BRUR and JKKNIU. A total of 320 female students from various departments of the aforementioned two universities completed the training. The trainings were held at BRAC Learning Centre in Rangpur and Mymensingh during October, 2018 - February, 2019.
The training aimed to improve the female students’
understanding of entrepreneurship skills and business. They deliberated together and developed business plans, which were reviewed and the best two were chosen for seed funding from each university. They are being given time-bound mentoring support during the initial months of implementation of their new initiatives.
Photos of training and certificate awarding ceremony at BRUR and JKKNIU
‘Rivers of Life’ drawn by students of BRUR and JKKNIU
Leaflets of two groups from BRUR who have started their activities
Participants of the training were introduced to the concept of ‘Rivers of Life’ where they identified various issues related to their upbringing, achievements and challenges. This was a unique endeavour to know about the lives of young women studying at the regional universities. The stories explored in the drawings under the title of ‘Rivers of Life’ were really eye-opening for all of us. This could be regarded as useful resource for understanding of the strengths and challenges of young female students in today’s society.
The training enabled the participants in groups to develop 50 business concepts from a social business perspective.
Among all the business concepts, four student groups won the seed funds to implement their activities.
Rivers of Life
Student led initiatives
CPJ has also facilitated the establishment of a Women Peace Café at Begum Rokeya University Rangpur and Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University for female students to nurture innovative business ideas for the promotion of peace, cohesion and prosperity in our society. Members of this café are expected to work as peace ‘ambassadors’ in their campus.
CPJ launched Women Peace Café at Begum Rokeya University Rangpur on 10th of March 2019 under this project. The Café was jointly inaugurated by Ms. Shoko Ishikawa, Country Representative of UN Women Bangladesh, Prof. Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Vice Chancellor of BRUR, in a ceremonial and festive mode.
Rally on International Women’s Day 2019 in BRUR campus.
One of the seed fund winner groups
‘Shongsoptok’ organised pledge collection on International Women’s
Day 2019 in BRUR campus.
Women Peace Café
Female students of BRUR participating in a drawing competition organised by
student group ‘Break Through’ on International Women’s Day 2019 in
BRUR campus.
There is a modest research component on the role of youth in promoting peace and social cohesion in Bangladesh. Our survey finds that activities that are promoting peace and cohesion in the society are strongly supported by young students (both male & female) of these two regional universities. A large majority of students mentioned (80-86%) that religious radicalisation and violent extremism is a problem for our community as well as national life. However, students reported that knowledge and involvement in initiatives which address this problem in their campus/community are very low (26-39%).
MoU signing between CPJ and two regional public universities
Four seed fund winning groups who are implementing their innovative ideas under Women Peace Café
Centre for Peace and Justice in partnership with Dr. Wazed Research and Training Institute of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) and Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Mymensingh implemented this project through the signing of MoUs in 2018. These two regional public universities agreed to continue several initiatives that will promote peace and cohesion in the society by engaging students and faculty members through the newly established Women Peace Café.
Contact us
cpj@bracu.ac.bd
BRAC University, (UB 07, Level 9),
43 Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh (+88) 09617445171
Follow us /cpj.bracu
www.cpj.bracu.ac.bd
@cpj_bracu CPJ BRACU, 2019
C Implementing partners
Partnership & Sustainability
