Mukta’s Fight for Climate Justice in Coastal Bangladesh

“I grew up in Barguna, where the sea is both our lifeline and our greatest threat. Every year, storms come closer, livelihoods disappear, and families struggle to rebuild. For a long time, I watched this happen in silence.”

In a conservative rural setting, stepping outside the home was never easy for Mukta. “Why should a woman work? It’s better to get her married,” people would say. But Mukta couldn’t stay silent. She saw children dropping out of school, women losing income, and families facing disasters alone—and she chose to act.

Her journey began in 2021 with World Vision’s Amtali Area Programme. With support and encouragement, Mukta found her voice and her purpose.

Today, she is leading change in her community by setting up waste management systems and leading clean-up campaigns, training 120 young people with technical skills, connecting 20 families to government loans, and supporting women with sewing machines to build sustainable livelihoods.

Mukta’s work also focuses on education and wellbeing by running “holiday schools” for children who have dropped out, promoting cyber safety and adolescent health through SRHR corners, engaging parents to keep girls in school, and actively standing against child marriage while creating safe spaces for children.

She has personally intervened to stop child marriages—and today, she serves as the only female member of her municipal plan approval committee, breaking barriers and opening doors for others.

When disasters strike, Mukta goes door to door, ensuring families know how to stay safe.

“This journey is not mine alone. With World Vision Bangladesh beside me, I’ve grown stronger. Today, more girls and people with disabilities in my community are raising their voices. Because when one girl speaks up, others begin to believe they can too.”