Last Degree Earned:
Bachelor of Fine Arts,
University of Dhaka,
1969
Professional
Experience:
In 1972, immediately
after the Liberation of
Bangladesh, she joined
BRAC, as part of a group
of young people to work
for the rehabilitation
of the war torn country,
being based in remote
rural areas. Till 1980
worked with BRAC in
developing held
programmes, education
materials based on Paolo
Friere’s concept of
Concientisation,
training modules and
implemented training for
all development workers,
particularly in the
field of mobilisation
and organisation of the
poor with equal emphasis
towards women’s
empowerment.
In 1980 joined Nijera
Kori as Coordinator and
working till present as
its key person. Nijera
Kori is a development
organisation presently
working in 38 thanas,
1126 villages of
Bangladesh, organising
1,75,000 landless women
and men in socioeconomic
struggles as well as
facilitating better
access to rural services
and available resources,
with a view to building
self-reliance and
improved production,
through mobilisation and
collective action. The
main focus being on
awareness building and
empowerment of the poor,
as well as sensitising
men on women’s status
and position within the
family and in society,
along with encouraging
the poor and
marginalised,
particularly women to
take up stronger and a
more assertive role as
an integral process
within society.
Since 1975, has
organised trainings,
workshops, consultations
on women, development,
environment and human
rights Issues, and
participated in major
regionally and
internationally
conferences .
Has been elected to the
Executive Committee to
Association of
Development Agencies in
Bangladesh-ADAB (the
Apex Body for NGOs in
Bangladesh) for several
terms since 1983 and in
1993-95 served as
Chairperson of ADAB. As
an NGO activist played
an important role in
developing ADAB into a
strong network, and also
in building bridges and
links to other networks,
citizen’s forums and
Groups, as well as with
the Government.
Currently, the
Chairperson of both the
Coalition of Environment
NGOs-CEN and the
Association of Land
Reform and Development –
ALRD, both Networks of
NGOs and Citizens active
in Environment and Land
Rights. Member, Steering
Committee, Structural
Adjustment Participatory
Review Initiative
(SAPRI) Bangladesh .
Director, Sonali Bank,
Member, National
Nutrition Council,
Member, Independent
Panel of Experts,
National Water
Management Plan.
Address:
House-3/3, Block-A
Lalmatia
Dhaka-1207
Bangladesh
Tel: 880 2 8111372, 880
2 8122199
880 2 9670567Res.
Fax: 880 2 8122250
E-mail:
nijekori@dhaka.agni.com
