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A two-member delegation comprising Ms. Sabina Yesmein (Lubna Yesmein), Senior Programme Manager of the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, and Md. Nurul Islam, Capacity Development and Management Expert of Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF), visited JSKS on 14 July 2026 to observe project progress and interact with beneficiaries under the EMPOWER Project. Upon arrival, the visitors were warmly welcomed at the JSKS office, where Mr. Mustafa Kamal, Executive Director of JSKS, along with the Project Manager and other staffs, provided a comprehensive presentation on the organization's history, mission, and ongoing initiatives, with a detailed focus on the EMPOWER Project's objectives, activities, achievements, and challenges. Following the office briefing, the visitors proceeded to the JSKS Training Center, where they observed an ongoing training session on "Gender and Diversity," which brought together 25 Adivasi leaders from four upazilas of Dinajpur district-Dinajpur Sadar, Birol, Kaharole, and Birganj. The session provided a valuable opportunity for the visitors to witness firsthand how JSKS is building awareness and leadership capacities among Adivasi communities on issues of gender equity, social inclusion, and rights-based advocacy.
In the second half of the day, the delegation visited Dohonda village under Mukundapur Union in Kaharole Upazila to observe a Bi-Monthly Group Meeting of Adivasi women. The team actively interacted with the group members, listening to their experiences, challenges, and aspirations, and observed how the project is facilitating regular community meeting, empowering women to voice their concerns, and strengthening their engagement in local governance and decision-making processes. Throughout the visit, both visitors expressed appreciation for JSKS's commitment to reaching the most marginalized communities and provided constructive feedback for further strengthening project implementation. The visit concluded with a shared commitment to continued collaboration and support for inclusive and rights-based development interventions for Dalit and Adivasi communities in Dinajpur. The EMPOWER Project is supported by the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF), funded by @SwissinBangladesh, @CanadainBangladesh, @EUinBangladesh and managed by GFA Consulting Group GmbH