Bangladesh: Adopting Feminist Approaches to Empower Gender-Diverse Communities

By: Manisha Meem Nipun, Co-founder of Pathchola Foundation Bangladesh

Pathchola Foundation is a youth-led organization based in Bangladesh that supports gender-diverse populations. The organization was established in 2019 and became a FON grantee under the Window 1 funding track in August 2024. Manisha Meem Nipun, a trans woman and the co-founder of Pathchola Foundation, has been instrumental in creating safe spaces for structurally excluded communities, especially for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). In recent years, Pathchola’s mission has expanded through its partnership with CREA, particularly with the Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) program, despite backlash from fundamental groups.

Pathchola has been providing continued support for survivors of GBV while identifying a growing need to strengthen their support systems for GBV survivors through feminist approaches to project design training. They received this training from the FON project to enhance their capacity as they applied for a core grant. Pathchola considers this training a pivotal moment that helped shape their focus on survivor-centred care. This has encouraged the team to integrate feminist principles more deeply into the organization’s framework.

Rather than viewing this as a shift in priorities, they have focused on refining and expanding their work to serve their community better. Pathchola’s journey has always been about empowerment—not just for the individuals they serve but their entire team and network. The foundation now provides dedicated survivor services, offering safe spaces and confidential resources. They’ve developed thoughtful protocols to respond to disclosures of violence and ensure that their care is inclusive, intersectional, and driven by feminist values.

The Pathchola Foundation has strengthened its capacity to support GBV survivors and empowered its team to achieve personal milestones through its partnership with FON. For example, Manisha applied for and was selected to participate in the CSW68 session through FON in 2024. Additionally, she earned the opportunity to participate in the #renew: South Asia Sex Workers’ Summit organized by Crea, which provided her with exposure at both regional and international levels. Manisha utilised these opportunities to learn, connect, and explore.

Manisha was recently appointed as a judge for The Diana Award 2024—an incredible achievement not just for her but for the entire Gender Diverse community in South Asia. Manisha’s journey is a testament to Pathchola’s work and the collective strength of their allies and supporters. Her recognition as a Youth Gender Advocate with the Commonwealth Youth Gender & Equality Network (CYGEN) and her role in amplifying marginalized voices are both products of the values Pathchola stands for.

“When applying for this recognition, I emphasized the feminist perspective I gained from my experiences with the CREA-FON team. Attending the 68th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in the USA, supported by CREA-FON, and participating in the CREA-#renew: South Asian Sex Workers Summit in Nepal, nominated by the CREA-FON team, were particularly impactful in shaping my understanding and approach.”

~ Manisha Meem Nipun

The organization’s reach continues to expand on the global stage. Pathchola was proud to see Manisha honoured as a recipient of UNOPS’ “30 BELOW 30” to Get to 2030 recognition and the Asia Solidarity Lab Fellowship 2024 on empowering emerging leaders in climate justice in Indonesia. These achievements come not just from one person’s efforts but from the knowledge and skills the entire team has nurtured, in large part through their partnership with FON. The experiences Pathchola gained from CREA’s support at global platforms like the 68th Commission on the Status of Women and the CREA-RENEW South Asian Sex Workers Summit have been transformative.

In addition to their local work, Pathchola has recently become a youth partner in organizing the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) 2024 in Bangladesh. This collaboration is closely aligned with the foundation’s mission to centre marginalized voices and foster an intersectional approach to advocacy. Through this platform, they aim to integrate feminist values into climate action and ensure that young people from diverse identities are included in global discussions about the future of our planet.

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) Project

FON contributes to the eradication of gender-based violence worldwide through flexible funding. The Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) project aims to strengthen feminist movements by providing grants, particularly to small, unregistered organizations. With a budget of 7 million euros, FON also offers long-term mentoring and tailored training. Additionally, the project includes an action-research component to ensure the expansion and sustainability of these approaches.