On International Women’s Day 2026, the Food Security Network-KHANI Bangladesh, alongside its secretariat organization PRAAN and various partners, spearheaded a series of nationwide events to bridge the gap between women’s immense agricultural contributions and their lack of legal recognition.

From the coastal belts of Noakhali to the riverine chars of Mymensingh and Barishal, the message was clear: Sustainable food security is impossible without the formal recognition of women farmers.

A Unified Voice for Structural Reform

In Noakhali, KHANI Bangladesh and PRAAN joined a solidarity gathering of 17 organizations. Speakers highlighted a jarring reality: while women dominate the informal labor market and agricultural production, they remain “invisible” in the eyes of the state.

To address these systemic barriers, the network issued a set of key policy demands:

• The Women Farmers’ Recognition Act: Immediate enactment to provide official farmer ID cards to women.
• Gender-Responsive Budgeting: Mandatory public disclosure of gender-specific allocations in all government budgets.
• Climate & Disaster Leadership: Ensuring at least 50% representation of women in disaster management committees, particularly in climate-vulnerable coastal and char areas.

Grassroots Momentum: From Barishal to Mymensingh

While the policy discourse took center stage in the regional hubs, local communities demonstrated the tangible power of women’s labor through symbolic and economic displays.

The “Demand Tree” of Barishal

In Noyani Village, Barishal, Prantajan and KHANI Bangladesh organized a “Women Farmers’ Gathering.” The highlight of the event was the presentation of a “Demand Tree,” where 150 participants—mostly women farmers—placed their thumbprints on a collective pledge.

“Despite our role in seed preservation and crop production, our work is still seen merely as ‘assistance,’” shared Mst. Parul Begum, a local farmer. The gathering emphasized that a “Food Rights Act“ is the only path to making the food system inclusive for those who actually grow the food.

Exhibition and Excellence in Mymensingh

In the Brahmaputra Char area, the Onnyochitro Foundation hosted a day-long exhibition at Zainul Udyan. This event moved beyond discussion by creating a direct marketplace for women to sell vegetables, pulses, and handicrafts.

• Economic Visibility: The exhibition allowed farmers to bypass traditional barriers and connect directly with buyers.
• Honoring Resilience: The program concluded by honoring three veteran women farmers for their lifelong contributions to the rural economy.
• The Land Gap: Speakers noted that only 4-5% of women farmers have effective land ownership, a statistic that KHANI Bangladesh is determined to change through the proposed Food Rights Act.

Conclusion: A Call for Collective Action

Aligning with the 2026 national theme, “Today’s Actions for Tomorrow’s Justice,” these events served as a reminder that women’s empowerment is not just a social goal but an economic necessity.

By enacting a Food Rights Act and legally recognizing women as farmers, Bangladesh can ensure that the women who feed the nation are no longer left behind. KHANI Bangladesh and its partners remain committed to advocating for an environment where every woman farmer can work with dignity, safety, and official status.