Marginalized Community : Rirghts and Reality

Despite official fighting against the poverty as like as other Southern countries Bangladesh yet could not reach in the satisfactory standards. Majority people particularly villagers live under so called “one dollar” poverty line that are generally considered as poor. But the peoples who can not eat 3 time, daily income Tk. 40 or less, lives in house of Tk. 500, the community is beyond the definition. BRAC explains the community as “Ultra Poor”, but I would like to say “Marginalized Community”.

After liberation, we know many changes happen in policy, in strategy even in implementation, but the status of the community did not changed. Hundreds of NGOs including Grameen working with high interest rate “micro-credit” zeal, but could not give minimum income of basic life need and relax. The basic rights preserved in national constitution and universal declaration still now in vague. They do not know rights; they do not know PRSP (Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan), MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) and or five year strategy plan. The community is going forward with out goals, just spending life.

According to Human Development Report, 2001, based on daily income 35.6% and based on calorie taking 53 % Bangladeshi are poor. Even though this majority community is involved all societal factors and productions, from cultivation to construction including political power change; but not recognized. They make building but cannot enter after finished; they produce aroma rice but cannot eat. Nowadays the majority community is thread of AIDS, malnutrition, illiteracy and unconsciousness along with extreme poverty. This is the time to make voice for ensuring majority peoples rights and reality change.

As a part of process, UnnayanNews would like to contribute by producing multimedia local content on marginalized community in Bangladesh. Regarding arrange this issues I would like to give special thanks to PANOS Bangladesh to arrange parallel programs on PRSP, poverty as well as grassroots reality.

From May – July 2006 we will produces a number web documentary and e-content centering on this community. Our wishes this small initiative will touch in the core process by looking the neglected community in elite web media. The steps will successful, if minimally can touch target policy and implementation level for effective initiatives.

Shahjahan Siraj
Dhaka, May 2006