THP

Empowerment

The Hunger Project Online Briefing Program
The Hunger Project in Bangladesh: Empowering Women Animators
Page 15 of 21

HFZ

Training of Trainers

VCAW
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   Animators
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Trainers and Catalysts
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   Hunger Free Zones

To fulfill our commitment to large-scale training of women animators, the Hunger Project is creating a cadre of women who can themselves lead the 4-day animator's training. When women are trainers, their very presence provides a role model for the trainees of an empowered Bangladeshi women.

I was sent here with a mission, and I am going to fulfill that mission."

"We can learn each moment. We are getting stronger and more confident. There is no limit."

-Women speaking at the first ever training of women trainers

Expanding the opportunities for women

A cadre of women trainers is key to dramatically expanding the number of trained women animators in Bangladesh.
Women trainers are role models for the new women animators that they train, in both the animators training, as well as other workshops including the VCAW.
Women trainers make a bold statement to the men that they work with. In Bangladesh, where women's leadership is rarely cultivated, having women leaders brings an added sensitivity and insight to the critical issue of women's subjugation. Women trainers are taking a new message to both men and women and are reshaping society's expectations.

Training of trainers

In March, 31 women from around the country came together in Dhaka, to become the first cadre of women trainers.
For four remarkable days, they shared their experiences as women in Bangladesh, and the difficulties they faced in spite of certain privileges.
One woman described how critical her parents were to developing her own leadership. Although her family was poor and hungry, her parents stood for her having a different future than other girls, and encouraged her to go to school and university. She is now a teacher and moved by the vision of her parents.
One woman shared how she brought up 3 children on her own when her husband was crippled in an accident. She described the challenge of enrolling her in-laws to support her work. Today, all three of her children are studying at the university level.
Together, these remarkable women strengthened their leadership skills and committed themselves to standing for the empowerment of their sisters.

On 27 June, 15 of the trainees came together again to discuss the accomplishments of recent months. Since the March training, the women have conducted more than 65 Vision, Commitment and Action Workshops.
They have attended six animator trainings, eight catalyst meetings, 15 regional animator meetings, and eight Youth Ending Hunger meetings.

Empowerment

The Hunger Project Online Briefing Program
The Hunger Project in Bangladesh: Empowering Women Animators
Page 15 of 21

HFZ