BEDI

Why A few years ago, the founders of BEDI found themselves bonding over the harsh reality of being marginalized women in Bangladesh. A decade ago, things seemed to be moving forward—feminist magazines in print and activist marches hinted at a brighter future. But in recent years, rising extremism and political instability have pushed the feminist community into hiding. For marginalized women, the struggles have compounded: forced marriages, homelessness, workplace harassment, limited access to healthcare, and violence are heartbreakingly common. The feminist community itself is small and fragmented, and even within it, marginalized women are slipping through the cracks. With no organizations focused solely on marginalized women, their voices were barely audible in the broader fight for women's rights. In early 2024, BEDI - Bangladesh’s first safe space for marginalized women - was founded to address this critical gap. Mission BEDI’s mission is to create a safe space by connecting and empowering every marginalized woman in Bangladesh and advocating for our community together. We identified three priorities to guide our efforts: creating safe spaces, ensuring access to health and rights, (SRHR), and raising awareness. Journey So Far Within a year, BEDI organized five strategy meetings, trained over 20 community leaders, and conducted a workshop to combat gender-based violence through activism and advocacy. The feedback from participants affirmed that they felt safer and more empowered to lead their own initiatives in the future. The community works with other NGOs, businesses and individuals to empower the South Asian women's community. Vision BEDI envisions a world where every marginalized woman is safe, empowered, and supported on their journey.