Case Studies
Case Study 1:
A Beacon of Hope to Break Free from Long-Standing Discrimination in Kumira Kayaputra Para. . . . . .
Bikash Kumar Dash (Development & Human Rights Activist)
Under the management of Research Initiatives Bangladesh (RIB) and through the initiative of human rights activists from civil society stakeholder organizations under the HOPE Project, members of 28 families in Kumira Kayaputra Para are seeing a ray of hope.
Crushed under the pressure of centuries of accumulated social discrimination, the bitter experience of often being excluded as citizens from state facilities and opportunities continues to haunt their lives. In August 2024, the CSO group was formed. Prior to its formation, they expressed with deep emotion, “So many NGOs came—they stay for a couple of days and then leave. Our suffering remains just as it was; in fact, social oppression against us only increases. The high-caste, influential figures in society wield an axe of torture over us.” It felt as though this condition was their inevitable fate. Accepting destiny and barely surviving day-to-day was their only hope. They lacked education, awareness, and the ability to travel or socialize elsewhere as members of society.
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Case Study 2:
A single drain alone can end the long-standing suffering of the neglected Tala Malo Para. . . . . .
The Tala Jele (fisherman) or Malo village is located in the headquarters of Tala Upazila under Satkhira district. The Kopotaksho River flows right beside it. Due to the reduced navigability of the river, around 400 people across nearly 80 families living in Malo Para of Tala Upazila headquarters fall victim to waterlogging every year.
Heavy rainfall and downpours make the situation even more critical. Waterlogging turns into severe flooding. Humans and livestock are forced to live together surrounded by water. Children’s schooling comes to a halt. Most people fall ill with waterborne diseases. Instances of sexual harassment also increase, leading to severe human rights violations. With their homes submerged under water, residents of Malo Para are forced to live a confined life for 4 to 5 months a year. Governments come and governments go, but the suffering of the residents of Malo Para never ends.