Inception meeting of YPSA-Shikha project was held in the Vice-Chancellor’s conference room at Chittagong University on August 4, 2025. Funded by BRAC and the European Union, the project’s goal is to create sustainable systems for the prevention and redress of gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and bullying in educational institutions, workplaces, public transportation, online platforms, and the community.
The meeting was presided over by Professor Dr. Kamal Uddin, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Chittagong University.
Key participants included Dr. Md. Arifur Rahman, Founder and Chief Executive of YPSA; Professor Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) of Chittagong University; Professor Dr. Mohammad Saiful Islam, Acting Registrar; Professor Momtaz Uddin Ahmed, Acting Controller of Examinations; Dr. Shamsunnahar Chowdhury, Management Advisor at YPSA; and Syed Amin Al Anas, Senior Manager, Operations and Training, Social Compliance at Brac. The deans of seven faculties, university teachers, and representatives from Brac were also in attendance.
In his welcome address, Dr. Md. Arifur Rahman of YPSA provided a project overview, highlighting its potential to drive significant change in addressing gender inequality. Following this, Nasim Banu, YPSA’s Director of Social Development, detailed the project’s objectives and methodology. The guests present at the meeting agreed on the importance of strengthening awareness, prevention, and support frameworks to create a safe environment for students in educational settings.
During his speech, Dr. Kamal Uddin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor expressed his gratitude to YPSA for organizing the meeting. He recommended that YPSA’s efforts should complement the university’s existing committees and initiatives on gender equality and sexual harassment. Dr. Uddin emphasized that the planned training for 100 students, teachers, and officials would create a lasting impact by disseminating knowledge and contributing to a reduction in gender inequality at the university.
Professor Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan noted that the university’s own committee on this issue has been active since the beginning of the year. He stressed the importance of ensuring that such committees are not merely symbolic but are actively engaged in proper reporting and action.
The project is scheduled for a four-year implementation period (February 2025–January 2029) across six districts: Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Barisal, Rajshahi, and Chittagong. Its activities will include awareness campaigns, the development of reporting and support mechanisms, legal assistance, and institutional capacity-building initiatives in secondary schools, the ready-made garment industry, public transportation, and online platforms.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment from all attendees to work collaboratively for the project’s successful implementation.
