News
The article analyzes Bangladesh’s Electoral Reform Commission’s report, highlighting proposed changes like an upper house and a “no vote” option. It argues the reforms are actor-centric, granting parties excessive control, and neglects the crucial issue of the Election Commission’s independence. True electoral reform, the author suggests, demands independent oversight, transparent procedures, and robust civil society participation to ensure genuine democracy and empower citizens.
Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing rising sea levels, extreme weather, and declining agricultural productivity. Effective climate adaptation—especially in agriculture, finance, and social protection—is now critical. This article draws on evidence from VoxDevLit to explore how targeted interventions like crop insurance, anticipatory cash transfers, technology adoption, and resilient infrastructure can protect livelihoods, reduce inequality, and build long-term resilience, while highlighting the urgent need for global cooperation and innovative, context-specific solutions.
The article discusses Bangladesh’s policy to transition to sustainable building materials like hollow concrete blocks by 2025. While the government aims to lead this shift, progress is slow due to Covid-19, poor coordination, and insufficient incentives. The author suggests a shared database for monitoring, stricter licensing for brick kilns, incentives for block production, vocational training, and public awareness campaigns. While the 2025 target is unlikely, addressing these challenges will help Bangladesh achieve a more sustainable construction sector.
The article emphasizes the crucial role of strong Union Parishad standing committees for effective local governance in Bangladesh. While designed for accountability and public participation, these committees often falter due to political influence, lack of diversity, and inadequate expertise. The authors argue for fair selection, capacity building, and community engagement to transform these committees into pillars of local democracy. Prioritizing transparency, autonomy, inclusivity, and capacity will foster participatory and accountable local government, and policymakers and stakeholders should invest in strengthening this vital structure.
The article emphasizes the disproportionate impact of climate change on Bangladesh’s coastal communities. It argues for global accountability, increased financial support, and inclusive adaptation planning, where affected communities are seen as active participants, not just aid recipients. The author highlights the injustice of these communities, who contribute the least to global emissions, facing the harshest consequences and calls for a climate justice plan.
The article analyzes an Innovision survey on Bangladeshi voter preferences. Among decided voters, BNP leads with 41.7%, followed by Jamaat-e-Islami (31.6%) and Awami League (13.9%). However, a substantial 59% remain undecided, potentially swaying the election. Family history and community norms significantly influence voter choices. The survey indicates a shifting voter landscape, moving away from the traditional dominance of AL and BNP.
Published in The Daily Sun, the op-ed “Understanding Bangladesh’s Political Crisis Through Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions,” by Md. Al-Mamun and Faruq Hossain, provides an analysis of the country’s political crisis through the framework of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, considering their effects on governance, political legitimacy, and interim government efficacy.
পুলিশ সংস্কার নিয়ে অতীতের মতো আবারও বিতর্ক শুরু হয়েছে। এর মধ্যে অন্যতম হলো স্বাধীন পুলিশ কমিশন গঠনের বিষয়টি। পুলিশকে রাজনৈতিক প্রভাবমুক্ত রেখে পেশাদারত্বের সঙ্গে পরিচালনার জন্য স্বাধীন পুলিশ কমিশন গঠনের প্রয়োজনীয়তা নিয়ে আলোচনা ছিল। এটি পুলিশেরও চাওয়া। কিন্তু বর্তমান অন্তর্বর্তীকালীন সরকারের আওতায় গঠিত পুলিশ সংস্কার কমিশন এ বিষয়ে কোনো রূপরেখা দেয়নি। এ বিষয়ে বিশেষজ্ঞদের মতামতের ভিত্তিতে সিদ্ধান্ত গ্রহণ এবং ‘পরীক্ষা-নিরীক্ষা’ ও ‘বিচার-বিশ্লেষণ’ করা প্রয়োজন বলে উল্লেখ করেছে সংস্কার কমিশন।
This article explores the challenges of modern motherhood and the erosion of community support. Despite living in densely populated cities, mothers often experience isolation and unrealistic expectations, leading to feelings of inadequacy. The piece highlights the proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” and questions why society has abandoned collective child-rearing. It advocates for a return to community support to alleviate the stress of motherhood and addresses issues like postpartum depression and the pressures faced by working mothers. The article emphasizes the importance of shared responsibility to make motherhood a more joyful experience.
This article examines the challenges of local governance in Bangladesh and the growing disconnect between citizens and local institutions. While digitalization aimed to improve services, it has created accessibility gaps for rural residents. Village courts are underutilized, and rising election costs limit access to political office. Citizen participation is low, with limited awareness of ward meetings. The article emphasizes the need for a more inclusive approach, incorporating offline solutions, digital literacy training, and direct engagement to ensure effective local governance. The study suggests that a more inclusive approach is needed, incorporating offline solutions, digital literacy training, and direct engagement with rural communities to ensure effective local governance.
