Current Reality

Current Reality

Sabiha, a 14-year-old student in a rural government school, dreams of becoming a doctor—but like many girls in Bangladesh, her education is at risk. Girls here drop out 9% more often than boys (BANBEIS, 2019), and one in five are married before age 18 (UNFPA, 2020), cutting short their potential.

While Bangladesh ranks 71st in the Global Gender Gap Report (2022), this progress often doesn’t match the reality on the ground. Nearly 74% of girls face harassment in school (Plan International, 2021), creating an atmosphere of fear and diminishing self-confidence.

Programs like the Adolescent Girls’ Program and government scholarships are helping to keep girls in school, and women leaders offer visible hope. But deeper change is still needed—especially in education and administration, where gender inequity remains entrenched.

By ensuring gender-sensitive education, safe learning environments, and leadership opportunities, we can help girls like Sabiha not only stay in school but thrive—benefiting entire communities in the process.

Our Solution

Our Solution

At Teach For Bangladesh, we are advancing gender equity through the Let Girls Thrive (LGT) initiative, leveraging our strengths in teacher leadership and Alumni engagement to create safe, gender-sensitive learning environments where girls can thrive. We are recruiting, training, and supporting 25 new Fellows in marginalized communities of Dhaka and Chattogram, ensuring that over 1,500 students (60% girls) are receiving an education free from gender-based barriers. Our Fellows and Alumni are identifying and addressing systemic challenges, empowering girls to express their leadership and self-determination, and working closely with families and communities to build a shared vision for girls’ futures. Additionally, we are fostering long-term sustainability by strengthening local partnerships and mobilizing financial and non-financial support, ensuring that our impact is extending beyond the classroom and driving lasting systemic change for gender equity in Bangladesh.

Photo Gallery

Testimonials

Many families, initially hesitant or unaware of the importance of education for girls, have started to prioritize their daughters’ schooling. This shift has been evident in increased attendance, reduced dropout rates, and a greater willingness among parents to support their daughters’ academic and extracurricular activities. Parents are also more engaged, attending school events and showing interest in their children’s progress. Girls, in particular, have become more confident and motivated. I’ve observed increased participation in class, a greater sense of self-worth, and a stronger desire to set and achieve personal and academic goals. Many girls have started to envision a future beyond traditional roles, inspired by the success stories and opportunities presented to them through education. With a shared vision established, there has been a noticeable increase in collaboration among families, schools, and community leaders. Community members are now more involved in supporting school initiatives, such as raising funds for educational materials, addressing barriers to attendance, and creating community programs aimed at empowering girls.

Faraz-Al-Mahamood Chy

Fellow, Teach For Bangladesh

আর আপনি জানলে খুশি হবেন যে,আপনার ছাত্রী আপনার শিখানো বাল্য বিবাহ থামিয়েছে। আমাদের ফেক্টরিতে একটা মেয়ে ও ছেলে বাবা, মা ওদের বাল্য বিবাহ দিতে চেয়েছিল। আর আমি সেটা থামিয়েছি। ধন্যবাদ মেম। আপনার জন্য আমি বিবাহটি থামাতে পেরেছি.

Sathi Akter

Student, Grade 8