Chattogram, 18 September 2025:
UTSA organized a Knowledge Sharing Session focusing on innovative approaches to address violence against women (VAW) through open data, anonymous reporting, and digital advocacy tools. The event brought together development workers, media representatives, educators, students, and civil society members in Chattogram.
Key Highlights
- The session was presided over by UTSA Executive Board Member Shuvra Biswas, with a welcome address from Executive Director Mostafa Kamal Jatra.
- UTSA Program Coordinator Muhammad Shah Alam presented the project overview, introducing VAW Tracker.com and the anonymous reporting platform aamarkotha.com.
- Guest speakers included:
- Swapna Talukder, Deputy Director, MOMOTA
- Litton Chowdhury, Executive Director, Shongshoptoak
- Md. Ali Sikder, Executive Director, Swapnil Bright Foundation
- Kamrul Hasan Badol, Associate Editor, Suprovat Bangladesh
Speakers highlighted the importance of sustainability and recommended integrating these digital tools with existing government services to ensure broader impact and continuity.
Voices from the Session
- “Digital reporting tools provide women with a safe and effective way to raise their voices. To sustain these initiatives, integration with government support systems is essential.” – Swapna Talukder
- “Data-driven journalism and civil society collaboration have strengthened advocacy. Now is the time to bring these tools into mainstream policy and governance.” – Litton Chowdhury
- “Aamarkotha.com can become part of a wider social movement against gender-based violence, but sustainability requires joint efforts from government, media, and civil society.” – Md. Ali Sikder
- “VAW Tracker fills the gaps in media reporting by documenting unreported incidents. Linking this tool with state mechanisms will help improve policy and justice delivery.” – Kamrul Hasan Badol
Youth & Open Discussion
Youth Ambassador Masuma Akter Mim shared her experiences of raising awareness among peers through the project. In the open floor discussion, participants including Syed Mamunur Rashid, SM Ershadul Karim, Sejuti Majumder Jui, Md. Forkan, and Reshma Shaheen emphasized the need to keep these platforms active beyond the project period.
Way Forward
Participants agreed that initiatives like VAW Tracker and aamarkotha.com must be sustained through partnerships with government agencies, civil society, and media. The session concluded with a collective commitment to expand awareness and ensure that survivors of violence continue to have access to safe reporting and support services.
Also present were UTSA staff members: Md. Anowar Hossain (Manager: Admin & Finance), Ripa Palit (Program Officer), Tasleema Akter (Accounts Officer), and volunteer Sazzad Hossain.
