In the slum areas of Dhaka city, extreme poverty and unstable income make financial security a major challenge, forcing many families into informal, low-paying, and vulnerable jobs. Women often face added burdens due to unequal access to resources, limited decision-making power, and cultural norms that reinforce gender inequality. Access to essential social services such as health care, education, safe housing, and clean water remains inadequate, leaving residents—especially women and children—at constant risk. Gender-based violence is a wide spread issue in these communities, fueled by poverty, overcrowding, social stigma, and lack of legal protection or support systems. As a result, women and girls often live in fear, with limited opportunities to escape cycles of violence and inequality. Transforming Lives through Gender-Inclusive Livelihoods and Education (TLGLE) project aims to improve the lives of urban extreme poor households in ten areas under Dhaka City Corporation by increasing their financial resilience, advancing gender equality, and ensuring access to essential social services. It also focuses on preventing violence against women and girls and empowering marginalized groups, including Dalit and Adivasi women, to live with dignity. Furthermore, the project will offer continuous educational support to disadvantaged children by reducing school dropout rates and creating a child-friendly learning environment through a dedicated Day Care Centre. By tackling these key issues, the project envisions building a society that is more inclusive, fair, and equitable for everyone.

Goal: To adoptive holistic development and a brighter future for urban extreme poor households in 10 areas of Dhaka City Corporation by sustainably enhancing income, promoting gender equality, ensuring access to basic social services, reducing violence against women and girls, and supporting the comprehensive well-being of underprivileged children.

Specific Objective: Uplift urban extreme poor households in 10 areas of Dhaka city corporation by enhancing their income, promoting gender equality and empowerment, ensuring access to basic social services, reducing violence against women and girls, and supporting underprivileged children through education and a child-friendly Day Care Centre, fostering holistic development for a better future.

Working Area: 10 locations of Dhaka city (Mohammadror Rayerbazar, Naboday, Satmosjid housing, Hazaribag, Boubazar, Agargaon, Khilgaon komilla Slam, Shipahibag, Matherteck and Goran)

Target group: Small Business Owners and Children.

Project Participants: Direct beneficiaries: 330 & indirect beneficiary: 20000

Duration of the project: 33Months (1 July 2024 – 31 March 2027)

Donor: Karuna Trust