IWPG Global Region 3 Partners with Bangladesh’s Pragroshor for Peacebuilding

Expanding Women’s Peace Education in South Asia

On September 22, during the 2025 World Women’s Peace Conference held in Cheongju, South Korea, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Global Region 3, led by Director Heo Eun-joo, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bangladesh-based human rights organization Pragroshor (President: Fauzia Khondker). The agreement marks a significant step toward expanding women’s peace education and grassroots peacebuilding initiatives in South Asia.

Key Areas of Cooperation

Through the MOU, the two organizations agreed to collaborate in a wide range of fields:

• Regular meetings and joint projects to activate peace initiatives in Bangladesh

• Promotion of IWPG’s online Women’s Peace Education courses and member recruitment

• Support for connecting schools to host preliminary rounds of the Peace Loving Drawing Competition

• Translation of IWPG’s women’s peace education content into Bengali

• Local delivery of women’s peace education programs with lecturer support

• Invitations to IWPG-hosted workshops and events for deeper exchange

This collaboration, especially the translation into Bengali and localized content delivery, is expected to significantly improve accessibility for Bangladeshi women to IWPG’s educational programs.

Building on Previous Cooperation

IWPG and Pragroshor have already worked together in meaningful ways. Women trained through IWPG’s Peace Lecturer Course have been active as local peace educators in Bangladesh, and the two organizations have connected schools to the Peace Loving Drawing Competition, strengthening youth participation in peace awareness.

Founded in 2014, Pragroshor is a human rights organization in Bangladesh dedicated to building a society where the dignity and equality of all individuals are respected, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, or physical ability. The group provides education, resources, and advocacy to women and civil society organizations, empowering them for long-term impact.

Voices of Commitment

IWPG Global Region 3 Director Heo Eun-joo stated:

“This partnership allows us to contribute more systematically to empowering Bangladeshi women and spreading a culture of peace. Together with Pragroshor, we will strengthen South Asia’s peace network.”

Pragroshor President Fauzia Khondker added:

“Through cooperation with IWPG, we can enhance women’s peace consciousness and expand their participation in society. By combining our expertise, we will establish effective women’s peace education programs tailored to Bangladesh.”

About IWPG

IWPG is a women’s NGO registered with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). With branches in 122 countries and partnerships with over 800 organizations, IWPG leads initiatives in women’s peace education, cultural exchange, and advocacy for international legal frameworks such as the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).

Source: https://vo.la/VbYNvkT