Achievement:  

• Nari Maitree has successfully formed a national-level forum comprising nine women members of parliament. This forum will play a crucial role in advocating for the swift approval of the draft amendment proposed by the Ministry of Health. This achievement aligns with the vision of making Bangladesh tobacco-free by 2040, as declared by the Prime Minister. The formation of this forum strengthens our partnership and collaboration with influential policymakers.
• Through our engagement with women members of parliament, we have established a strong relationship and rapport. This provides us with a valuable opportunity to continue working closely with them towards tobacco control and law amendment.
• We have successfully established 40 women’s groups and provided them with the necessary empowerment to amplify their voices. These groups now have the opportunity to actively contribute to the amendment of existing tobacco control laws. The initiative has not only enabled local engagement but also provided avenues for national-level involvement. By empowering women to participate in decision-making processes, we are fostering inclusivity and promoting gender equality.
• Secured commitment and video endorsements from one Minister, two State Ministers, and ten women Members of Parliament, demonstrating strong support for the swift passage of amendments to the tobacco control law.
• Shared endorsement content on our Facebook page, reaching a broad audience and enhancing awareness about the need for tobacco control law amendments.
• Organized sharing meetings with MPs and journalists, securing commitments from 1 Minister, 2 State Ministers, and 13 MPs to advocate for the swift passage of the amended tobacco control law. Additionally, conducted two discussion sessions with 20 women representatives from local government bodies, garnering commitments from all 20 representatives. They pledged to vocally support the expedited passage of the tobacco control law and actively contribute to reducing health hazards for women and children caused by passive smoking.
• Conducted orientation sessions with Girls Guide members and ULAB University students to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and inspire advocacy for law amendments.
• Organized a successful signature campaign on an open letter addressed to the Prime Minister, gathering over 2000 signatures from diverse professionals and influencers.
• Achieved extensive media coverage with 260 pieces across 75 platforms, including print, electronic, online, and mobile journalism outlets, enhancing the project’s visibility and impact.
• Engaging actively with the Anti-Tobacco Women Voices Facebook page has resulted in reaching an impressive audience of nearly 300,000 individuals, with 75% comprising females. This active participation reflects a collective dedication towards amplifying awareness and advocating for transformative change in the fight against tobacco use.