LIPIKA TRIPURA from Khagrachari

“Within the context of discrimination to indigenous people, women’s situation and status is different from men. So, for understanding the discrimination of indigenous women, there is a need to undertake gender analysis beside ethnic minority perspective”

Lipika Tripura works in Women Resource Network (WRN), since 2007. After completing graduation from West Bengal University of Technology, India she obtained Masters in Anthropology from Santa Maria University of Dhaka. Lipika is also a member of Khagrapur Mohila Kallayan Somity (KMKS).

SANGITA TRIPURA from Khagrachari

“This training made me a better planner and implementer of women development projects of my organisation”

Sangita Tripura started persuing her career as Community Development Worker in 2011. At present she is working in Khagrapur Mohila Kallayan Somity (KMKS). 

JOYA TRIPURA from Khagrachari

“As a responsible position holder I will be better able to advance women’s interests in my community through applying the knowledge gained from this training”

Joya Tripura is a Headman of Tripura indigenous community in Khagrachari. Headman is a traditional institution in CHT who’s roles includes keeping land records and revenue collection within the Mouza, settlement of minor civil and criminal disputes, settlement of disputes brought to him/her by the people of the Mouza to ensure justice following the prevailing social norms and customs. The position of the Headman is usually hereditary with no bar for a female member inheriting it..

SWAPNA CHAKMA, Khagrachari

“I found that the time spent here was actually time well spent. It has allowed me to focus my work again on to go back to the basics. Often we get lost in the work we do, and the time spent here allowed me to shift focus again to concentrate on things that are important”

Swapna Chakma works in Kabidang, an NGO works for education, health, women and children development in Khagrachari hill district since 1998.  

NATASHA TRIPURA JUHI, Khagrachari

“To me, understanding about gender, patriarchy and women’s reproductive burden has been the most useful part of this training”

Natasha Tripura Juhi is a frontline activist of Hill Women Federation, a youth women wing of Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), the only registered political party represents indigenous communities of CHT. She obtained her Masters in Mass Communication and Media Service from the University of Development Alternative.

LINDA TRIPURA, Bandarban

“ Learning from this training  will help me to lead women groups and raise awareness on women’s right in my community”

Linda Tripura is Girl’s affair secretary of Bangladesh Tripura Christian Student Association (BTCSA) and a member of Hill Women Federation. She completed higher secondary education from Bandarban Women’s College.

JUNAKI TRIPURA, Khagrachari

“Participating in this training helped me understand the discrimination faced by indigenous women and women in general” 

Junaki Tripura works in Zabarang  Kalyan Samity, a leading NGO in Chittagong Hill Tracts.  Zabarang works in three main strategic areas - education, governance and livelihoods to provide the people of the CHT with a way to improve their lives and welfare.

SUME  TONGCHANGYA, Bandarban

“The knowledge I gained from the training has given me a better understanding of gender based discrimination within the CHT landscape”

Sume Tongchanhgy is an active worker of Bandarban Hill Women’s Federation. She completed higher secondary education from Bandarban Women’s College.
 

VAGGAYLOTA TANCHANGAY, Bandarban

“Similar trainings that I had participated before were more superficial. BNPS training has taught me carry forward our own issues as indigenous women which I found to be very helpful and useful in my work implementation”

Vaggaylota Tanchangay is working in BRAC at Bandarban. She is also member of Chittagong Hill Tracts Mohila Samity, the women wing of Parbattya  Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS).

GARIKA CHAKMA, Rangamati

“The training has helped me explore and analyse issues of gender based discrimination and its impact in perspective of indigenous communities”

Garika Chakma completed her graduation from Rangamati Government College. She works in Progressive Rangamati, a local NGO working for indigenous people’s right.

SMRITI DUTTA, Dhaka

“The training has helped me see each and every challenge that women face through the gender lens”

Smriti Dutta is a drama and dance performer and cultural organiser currently working in BNPS in a women’s political empowerment programme. She is a Masters in Zoology from National University.

PLINA CHAKMA

“This training has  pushed me beyond my comfort zone as a indigenous peoples rights advocate to questions what efforts I can lend to the women rights struggle in our communities”

Plina Chakma works in Kapaeeng Foundation, a human rights organization working for promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples of the country. Plina Chakma is studying Masters in Law at University of Development Alternative, Dhaka. As a cultural Activist she is involved in Jumma Esthetics Council.

DOWE THWE NUE MARMA, Bandarban

“A responsibility has been grown in me for doing more concrete work to improve indigenous women that address root causes of discrimination. The training was an eye opening” 

Dowe Thwe Nue Marma works in Anannya Kallyan Sangstha (AKS), an indigenous women organisation in Bandarban.

RUNLAY MRO, Bandarban

“It is due to the training that I am now able to rethink our indigenous women’s issues and the strategies for way forward”

Runlay Mro is studying Anthropology at Chittagong University. She is a volunteer member of Anannya Kallyan Sangstha (AKS), Bandarban.

RUN REM PAR BAWM, Bandarban

“I found the training very useful as it has facilitated to understand and deal with discriminatory traditional laws  in our communities as there is lower focus on this issue in CHT women organisations”

Run Rem Par Bawm works for rights of indigenous women through Anannya Kallyan Sangstha (AKS), Bandarban.

HLA YAI CHING MARMA

 “This training enabled me to build up my argument to address women’s rights through my organisational activities”

Hla Yai Ching Marma is working in Boli Para Nari Kalyan Samity (BNKS), a renowned women organisation of CHT. Livelihood, health and prevent violence against women is the main focus areas of BNKS.

LABANI CHAKMA, Khagrachari

“The learning made me able  to understand the issues of indigenous women rights critically and will further help me in advocacy”

A member of Hill Women Federation, Labani Chakma is a graduate student of Begum Badrunnesa Women’s College, Dhaka.

SHREYASEE CHAKMA, Khagrachari

“I definitely will raise the issue of reforming the customs in my community that deprive women from enjoyment of equal status in family and society”

Shreyasee Chakma is studying Business Study at Bangladesh University, Dhaka. She is a cultural activist and also involved with Hill Women Federation.

FALGUNI TRIPURA, Khagrachari

“When I came here, I was under the impression that I knew much about indigenous women’s issues. By doing the trainings and going in the depth of the analysis of gender perspective of discrimination, I knew that I had much to learn”

Falguni Tripura is a human rights activists working in Kapaeeng Foundation. She obtained Masters in Political Science from Dhaka University.
 

SHYAMABOTI CHAKMA  CHAITY, Rangamati

“It is interesting to know how indigenous women are traditionally excluded from enjoyment of rights. Most of us are not aware of this systematic exclusionary process”

Shyamaboti Chakma Chaity is studying Masters in Political Science at Eden Girl’s University College, Dhaka. She is active in Hill Women Federation.

SUMANIKA DEWAN NISHI, Rangamati

“Attending in this training has added a positive layer to me and my challenging career! My works to build a better world for indigenous women continue. I am determined to promote and protect women rights despite numerous challenges and threats”

Sumanika Dewan Nishi is a Masters student at Eden Girl’s University College, Dhaka. She is active in Bangladesh Indigenous Women Network (BIWN). Established in 2012, BIWN is a national network working for realising indigenous women’s rights through social, economic, political and cultural movements.