Manisha Meem Nipun (She/Her/They/Ze) - CYGEN Member)
This blog is part of an in-depth series led by CYGEN and focused on the theme of resilience. Running through the months of September and October, this series will explore various aspects of resilience in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
In a world facing rapid change and many challenges, building resilience has become essential. Communities everywhere are dealing with the impacts of climate change, economic inequalities, and social injustices. At Pathchola Foundation, we believe resilience means not just recovering from difficulties but transforming our shared resources to ensure a fair and sustainable future for all.
Resilience begins at the grassroots level, where people face daily challenges with limited resources. By empowering these communities, especially the Hijra (third gender) community, we create a stronger, more resilient society. Education, skill development, and financial inclusion are key to this process. Pathchola provides quality education and job training to ensure everyone has the tools to succeed.
Another vital part of resilience is social protection. We ensure access to healthcare, legal support, and social security, creating a safety net that helps individuals recover and rebuild after setbacks. Human rights and gender equality are central to resilience, giving individuals the framework to assert their dignity and worth.
Our work at Pathchola Foundation has been recognized by national and international organisations, highlighting our dedication to creating a decent existence for the Hijra community by defending human rights, promoting financial inclusion, and advocating for climate justice and peace. Together, we can transform our shared resources into a resilient future for everyone.
Additionally, we engage in community outreach and partnerships with local organisations to amplify our impact. By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, we enhance our ability to address complex challenges. Our holistic approach ensures that no one is left behind, as we strive to create an inclusive society where every individual can thrive. Through continuous learning and adaptation, we remain committed to evolving our strategies and making a lasting difference. Join us in our mission to build a resilient world for all.
About the Author
Manisha Meem Nipun Hijra is a woman from the third gender community who is dedicated to helping others. She is a skilled trainer for young people and a co-founder of Pathchola Foundation, an organisation that works to improve the lives of people from the third gender and hijra community.
Pathchola focuses on important issues like community health, economic opportunities, job training, climate justice, peacebuilding, sexual and reproductive health, and rights. Manisha has worked with many different groups, including international and national organisations, and government agencies.
She has a lot of experience leading and organising events, workshops, and training programs. As a volunteer, speaker, consultant and advisor, she has been involved in over 700 events. Because of her amazing work helping people from the third gender and hijra community, and her focus on human rights, equality, peace, and climate justice , Manisha received the prestigious The Diana Award in 2022. She has been working to make a difference since 2017 and is the first person from the third gender community to be a UNDP-Movers Programme 2.0 Ambassador in Bangladesh. Through Pathchola and her volunteer work, Manisha has helped over 3,445 people, including those from the third gender, youths, and people living with HIV.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
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