STRATEGIC PRIORITY
Strategic Priority> Career
Women Land Rights
In Bangladesh, women face significant barriers in gaining access to and control over land and natural resources, despite making up 72.6% of the farming labor force. Their work is integral to agricultural productivity, yet these women are often not formally recognized as farmers, which limits their access to key resources, services, and rights associated with agricultural livelihoods. Due to a lack of formal recognition, women typically do not hold title deeds to land, with only a small portion four to five percents having effective control over agricultural land. The situation is influenced by several socio-cultural, legal, and economic factors. In many communities, traditional gender norms and inheritance practices prioritize male family members, making it challenging for women to inherit or purchase land independently.
Additionally, policy gaps and limited enforcement of laws that support women’s land rights further hinder progress. Without ownership or control over land, women farmers have restricted access to financial resources, credit, and agricultural extension services, which are often contingent on land ownership. This creates a cycle that limits their economic empowerment and ability to make decisions about land use, farming methods, or investment in agricultural improvements.
Moreover, Time-consuming judicial processes, burdened courts, procedural complexities, and protracted legal proceedings contribute to delays, often causing frustration among litigants. As per available data, nearly 3.7 million land related cases remain pending at courts, including the Supreme Court. Corruption within the land administration system, coupled with instances of land grabbing, exacerbates disputes. Powerful entities may exploit loopholes, leading to unjust dispossession and conflicts. Widespread unawareness, particularly in rural areas, about land rights and legal recourse mechanisms hampers effective navigation of available legal processes for dispute resolution.
Protecting Land and Environmental Rights Defenders
A concerning trend is the increasing conversion of agricultural land into commercial and real estate ventures, often without proper scrutiny or policy guidelines and sometimes through coercive means. This directly affects the most vulnerable segments of society, leaving them with minimal recourse when their lands are acquired. This issue is expected to worsen due to widespread land grabbing by commercial entities, politically influential groups, and unplanned government acquisitions, such as allocating substantial land for industrial parks, military bases, nuclear power plants, Export Processing Zones, and similar purposes, mostly at the expense of agricultural land.
Climate and Nature Flagship
Bangladesh is expected to be among the worst-affected countries in the world if the dire predictions came to be true. In recent times, Bangladesh has experienced the devastating impacts of two major cyclones. Cyclone Amphan struck on May 20, 2020, followed by Cyclone Yaas on May 26, 2021, causing massive devastation to the coastal regions. Socio-economic factors, such as a high dependence on agriculture, population density, and poverty, further exacerbate the impacts of these climate-induced natural hazards. Climate risks present challenges to human health, life, livelihoods, well-being, land, energy, water and natural resources, and infrastructure. Ecosystems and biodiversity are expected to see losses and changes in range for many of the climate risks. Poor and marginalized groups, and women, as well as youth and those with disabilities are likely to suffer disproportionately in a changing climate – exacerbating existing inequalities.
Adaptation and disaster risk reduction are urgent priorities in Bangladesh as the livelihoods and wellbeing of millions of people are threatened. Adaptation and methods for resilience feature planning and management of natural resources, land, and disaster preparedness and early warning systems with an emphasis on ecosystems, landscapes, and green infrastructure such as mangroves and wetlands
Indigenous Peoples Land Rights
Indigenous peoples, often referred to as ethnic minorities; small ethnic groups; tribes; tribals constitute a small minority in Bangladesh. Their livelihoods and cultural identity are deeply intertwined with the land. However, over the centuries, their traditional practices have not received adequate protection from the State and have been challenged by the absence of legal support, land commercialization, and privatization efforts. IPs face severe marginalization in the country, grappling with an identity crisis due to poverty, disconnection from their ancestral lands, and a profound sense of powerlessness regarding their collective future.
Strengthening Peoples’ organizations
Strengthening the capacity of People’s Organizations is crucial for empowering communities and enhancing their ability to advocate for their rights and interests effectively. By investing in training, resources, and organizational development, these organizations can better mobilize their members, engage in constructive dialogue with stakeholders, and implement grassroots initiatives more efficiently. Strengthening their capacity not only amplifies their voice in decision-making processes but also fosters sustainable development and fosters a more inclusive and participatory approach to land rights and governance.