Boat containing rice paddy seedlings. Photo: Jane Beesley/OxfamGB

Country profile: Bangladesh

Hiding behind the news headlines of cyclones and floods is a lush land with a rich cultural heritage and an ornate tapestry of colours and textures.

Bangladesh was formed in 1971 when east and west Pakistan split after a bitter civil war. The country spent 15 years under military rule and, although democracy was restored in 1990, the political scene remains volatile.

Poverty is deep and widespread, with almost half the population living on less than USD$1 a day. Violence against women continues to be a major problem in Bangaldesh’s strongly patriarchal social system. The United Nations estimates that 47% of Bangladeshi women experience domestic violence.

Last year Bangladesh suffered a double blow, with severe floods in July followed by a devastating cyclone in November. Environmentalists predict that Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change — forecasted rises in sea levels and worsening floods and storms could displace up to 70 million people.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Oxfam has been working in Bangladesh for more than 30 years. We support projects in 10 districts in the country’s north-west to advance the rights of women and indigenous people and help communities prepare for and respond to natural disasters.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S RIGHTS

Adibashi tribal communities in Bangladesh have experienced social, political and economic exclusion, lack of recognition and loss of cultural identity and land. We work with partners to support the Adibashi people to improve their leadership and advocacy skills, recover lost land, promote their culture and educate their children in their own languages.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS

We are working with local organisations to end the exploitation and abuse of women by changing Bangladeshi men’s ingrained beliefs and behaviours. Projects include recruiting volunteer change-makers to work within their own communities to influence views about domestic violence; training police, hospital staff and courtsto be sensitive towards victims of domestic violence; and advocating for new laws which defend women’s rights.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Bangladesh is subjected to regular monsoons, floods and cyclones. Oxfam works with communities toprepare for disasters by establishing village disaster committees and early warning systems, providing rescue boats and radios and raising thelevel of houses and tube wells. When disasters strike, we support affected communities with water, sanitation, public health, shelter and livelihood projects and

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