Empowering Women at the Frontlines: A Four Day Training in Char Lata

Under the project *“Women Leading the Tide: Gender Transformative Water Governance in Char Lata”*, supported by IUCN, OBHIZATRIK Foundation successfully conducted a four day training program for 60 women from the local community, aiming to strengthen their capacity, confidence, and leadership in water governance. The first two days of the training focused on financial literacy, where participants, divided into two groups of 30, engaged in interactive sessions on managing income, savings, microloans, financial planning, and preparing financially for natural disasters. These sessions helped build a strong foundation for improving their financial resilience in everyday life, especially in a climate vulnerable area like Char Lata. The last two days of the training shifted focus to leadership and negotiation skills, encouraging women to step into leadership roles and actively participate in decision making processes. Through discussions, group work, and practical exercises, participants explored effective communication, decision making, and negotiation techniques, building their confidence to engage in different social and institutional settings. The sessions were facilitated by Asif Uddin Ahmed, Independent Strategic Advisor and Capacity Development Expert, former Assistant Professor at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, along with co facilitator Minhaz Uddin Shibly, Deputy Manager, Partnership and Grants at OBHIZATRIK Foundation, creating an engaging and participatory learning environment for all participants. Overall, this four day training not only enhanced the knowledge and skills of the participants but also empowered them to take on active roles in local water management and institutional governance, paving the way for more inclusive and sustainable community development.