Good governance and accountability are critical for economic growth, health, education, and high-quality public services. In Bangladesh, USAID works to enhance citizen confidence in government by strengthening democratic processes and civil society, increasing access to justice, protecting human rights, supporting a culture of tolerance, and providing opportunities for women, youth, and marginalized communities. 

Strengthening Democratic Political Processes

USAID works to strengthen political processes by training leaders from all of Bangladesh’s major political parties in conducting democratic campaigns and improving internal governance. Our programs also train and empower women leaders, helping them take leadership roles in their respective parties.  

Enhancing Good Governance

USAID supports good governance by strengthening the processes and systems that improve government accountability and mitigate corruption. Programs also address inequalities experienced by marginalized communities, including women, youth, victims of child marriage, ethnic and religious minorities, and LGBTQI+ communities. USAID efforts to promote the rights of LGBTQI+ people help civil society organizations (CSOs) provide psychosocial support, access to legal services, and affordable health services.

Fostering a Strong Civil Society

USAID supports civil society actors to be strong interlocutors between the Government of Bangladesh and marginalized citizens, and builds the capacity of CSOs by providing training on government regulations and equipping them with the necessary skills to operate more safely in the digital space. USAID currently supports more than 50 CSOs and helps them advocate for human rights and protect marginalized citizens, including people with disabilities and the LGBTQI+ community, by encouraging the government to be more responsive to the unique needs of these groups.  

Strengthening Labor Rights

To help workers advocate for safe working conditions, USAID promotes the development and democratic governance of independent trade unions, provides training on collective bargaining, expands access to justice for workers, and empowers women workers through leadership and soft-skills training. Beyond workplace interventions, USAID programs also strengthen community-based organizations’ ability to provide basic services and support to workers in their communities. 

Combating Trafficking and Promoting the Rule of Law

To combat trafficking-in-persons, USAID trains government officials, members of the judiciary, and CSOs to increase awareness, protect survivors, and prosecute perpetrators more effectively.  USAID interventions help reduce child marriage by raising awareness on its adverse impact on victims, enabling girls to complete their education and avail economic opportunities more fully. USAID also supports marginalized Bangladeshis by expanding access to legal aid services in partnership with legal aid organizations, judges, judicial staff, and vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities and LGBTQI+ communities.  

Empowering Youth and Promoting Peace

USAID works with youth to increase civic awareness and engagement to bolster democratic values, and amplify youth voices to promote good governance in Bangladesh. USAID provides market-oriented vocational skills, entrepreneurship, leadership, conflict mitigation, and various soft-skills training for youth. USAID promotes peace by strengthening informal justice systems to reduce the use of violence and solve disputes, and foster youth engagement and trust in local justice mechanisms.

Results

  • In 2023, USAID assisted the Government of Bangladesh to implement its National Plan of Action to combat trafficking in persons by creating 147 new counter-trafficking committees in 25 districts and training over 3,500 committee members, and provided shelter, healthcare, counseling, job skills training, and legal services for over 1,200 trafficking survivors.
  • USAID programs provided training to more than 5,000 political party leaders and activists in democratic values, communication techniques, and political party building.
  • With USAID assistance, 23 new labor unions successfully registered with the Government of Bangladesh in 2023, helping them better advocate for more than 24,000 ready-made garment workers.
  • USAID prevented child marriages of 133 girls and boys, in addition to helping over 400 child marriage survivors receive protection, shelter, healthcare, and counseling support. 
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Bangladesh local women leaders

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More on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance in Bangladesh

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Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman Travels to Bangladesh

On May 11, Deputy Administrator Coleman completed her trip to Bangladesh to assess the realities on the ground of the humanitarian crisis that has resulted from the genocide against the Rohingya in Burma.

Administrator Samantha Power’s Meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Momen

Today, Administrator Samantha Power met with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Abdul Momen to discuss Rohingya refugee policies, joint climate action to promote clean energy solutions, and methods for improving Bangladesh’s business environment and galvanizing investment. 

USAID Launches Campaign to Prevent Child Marriage in Bangladesh

Today, the Bangladesh Secretary for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MOWCA) Md. Sayedul Islam launched a new “Actions to Prevent Child Marriage in Bangladesh” campaign supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The campaign is designed to encourage families to condemn the harmful practice of child marriage and support every girl’s dream to achieve their aspirations and will help advance the objectives of Bangladesh’s 10-year National Plan of Action to End Child Marriage (2018-2030).