Empowering Vulnerable Communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts Through Climate-Resilient Livelihoods and Local Leadership
“I want to inspire other women to chase their dreams,” says Bizli Sen, a determined woman from a remote village of Gopalganj district in Bangladesh. Her words echo the resilience and transformation that define her life and the lives of the women she now leads.
Once left behind by poverty and limited opportunities, Bizli’s life took a turn when she joined the SWAPNO project, a joint initiative of the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka. What began as a chance to earn a living through community work soon became a journey of leadership and empowerment.
Each morning, Bizli plans and guides a group of 11 women, in tasks that improve their community-repairing roads, maintaining public assets, and promoting hygiene and safety. Beyond these duties, she encourages her group to save money, build confidence, and take charge of their future. Together, they’ve not only achieved financial stability but also gained respect and recognition within their village.
But Bizli’s impact doesn’t stop there. She runs a small food business from home, adding a new income stream for her family. Her ability to balance work, leadership, and entrepreneurship makes her a role model for many.
Today, Bizli stands as a symbol of hope and change—proof that when women are given the right support, they don’t just survive; they lead, uplift others, and transform entire communities.
Her story is just one of thousands made possible by SWAPNO, empowering rural women to rewrite their futures. Thanks to the government of Sweden, these women are not only dreaming—they’re thriving.
Article Credit: undp