The Bangamata Commemorative Young Researchers’ Fellowship 2024, hosted by the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nessa Centre for Gender and Development Studies, stood as a premier research grant initiative focused on fostering lasting research impacts in development studies, gender dynamics, and economic futures. This year, researchers designed their research proposal in four key areas:
1.SMART ECONOMY: POTENTIALS, ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FOR WOMEN IN BANGLADESH
2. GENDER AS A CROSSCUTTING ISSUE: EDUCATION, SECURITY, WORKFORCE
3. SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND GENDER GAP
4. INVEST IN WOMEN: PRIORITIES AND POTENTIALS FOR BANGLADESH
Eligibility included students with bachelor’s degrees, post-graduate degrees, and young professional researchers.
A total of 38 young researchers from across the country submitted their proposals, while three (03) of the bests have been selected in three different categories through a 6-member evaluation committee. And they were awarded through a seminar on 13 march 2024.
The best 3 proposals are,
1.Reinvestigating Human Development Index: A New Approach For Incorporating Gender, Inequality And Environmental Cost”
By Abdullah Al Mahmud,
Abdullah Al Mahmud, a Senior Research Officer at ACE, advocates for the Sustainable Human Progress Index (SHDI) as a novel metric to gauge human advancement. His research critiques the Human Development Index (HDI) by incorporating factors like gender inequality, income disparity, and environmental impact. The SHDI integrates the Environmental Performance Index, Gini Index, and Global Gender Gap Index to confront the societal costs associated with economic growth, such as gender disparities and environmental degradation. This holistic approach aims to provide a more comprehensive and sustainable assessment of human development.
2. Evaluating Gender Inclusion in the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan of Bangladesh
By Dipty Debnath,
Dipty Debnath, a Research Assistant at the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs, underscores the disproportionate impact of climate change on women in Bangladesh. She advocates for integrating gender perspectives into climate action, highlighting gaps in the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) launched in September 2021, which lacks strong gender inclusivity. Debnath's research identifies the need for targeted interventions and robust monitoring to enhance gender-sensitive policies within the MCPP. Her study assesses women’s participation, gender-responsive strategies, intersectionality, and data integration to bolster Bangladesh’s efforts towards equitable, inclusive, and sustainable climate resilience.
3. Breaking Boundaries: How E-Business Redefines Women’s Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Bangladeshi Society”
By Md. Salman Sohel,
Md. Salman Sohel, a lecturer in Development Studies at Daffodil University, Dhaka, investigates how the e-business sector in Bangladesh can reshape women’s leadership and entrepreneurship, challenging conventional gender norms while enhancing women’s economic and social empowerment. E-business platforms provide unprecedented opportunities for women to overcome traditional barriers, offering flexible work arrangements. The study underscores the transformative impact on women’s economic empowerment, particularly in handmade crafts. However, a deeper exploration of how e-business influences women’s roles is necessary. This qualitative study aims to explore women’s perspectives, barriers, and opportunities in e-business, providing insights and recommendations to empower women in this burgeoning sector.
