Founded in 1991 in Bandarban Hill District, Bolipara Nari Kalyan Somity (BNKS) is the first women-led organization in the region, working to advance the rights of marginalized communities, especially in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Led by May Lung Ching and a group of committed women, BNKS emerged from grassroots efforts to fight wage discrimination and create self-employment opportunities.

Using a rights-based approach, BNKS empowers women through training, leadership development, and awareness-raising, while also engaging duty bearers to ensure accountability. Though empowerment can spark initial family tensions, BNKS fosters lasting change in gender relations through increased mobility, income, and voice for women.