Australia contributes Taka 8.19 million to support women’s rights in Bangladesh
Acting High Commissioner of Australia, Mr Tim Bolotnikoff (first row) along with representatives of The Asia Foundation and students and teachers of Naziria Naymia Mahmudia Madrassah, at the launching ceremony of a human rights project under the Australian Government’s Human Rights Grants Scheme (HRGS) 2011-12
On 26 April 2012, the acting High Commissioner of Australia, Mr Tim Bolotnikoff, launched the Asia Foundation’s project ‘Promoting Women’s Rights within an Islamic Framework through Madrassahs in Bangladesh’ at the Naziria Naymia Mahmudia Madrassah in Chittagong. Australia has provided Taka 8.19 million for the project under the Australian Government’s Human Rights Grants Scheme.
The project will adapt tested curriculum, developed in partnership with senior Muslim leaders in Bangladesh, for use in madrassahs to advance respect for women’s rights. In the course of the eighteen month project, the curriculum will be used to train madrassah teachers and establish a permanent teaching resource for all madrassahs.
During the launching ceremony, Mr Bolotnikoff said the Australian Government was delighted to be able to contribute towards Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to promote and protect women’s rights. He noted the importance of religious education in Bangladesh and said that schools, in particular madrassahs, can play an important role in promoting rights of all women in the country.
Mr Bolotnikoff congratulated the Asia Foundation for being one of the successful applicants under this year’s Human Rights Grants Scheme. Mr Bolotnikoff also took the opportunity to talk to the students at the Naziria Naymia Mahmudia Madrassah about their learning experiences and expectations for the future.
Australia is funding 41 human rights-related projects across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, totalling nearly AUD 3.7 million, under the Human Rights Grants Scheme for 2011-12.
Australian High Commission, Dhaka
29 April 2012
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Research and Communications Officer
Australian High Commission.
Tel: 8813105, Ext 413, E-mail: [email protected]