Background and Context

WEAVE, a CHT region based women led independent, non- Political, Non- profit, non-partisan and non-governmental organization. It was established in 2005 by a group of grass roots women who are socially dedicated and well educated philanthropists in CHT. Since its inception, it has been actively engaged in empowering, improvement and advancement of the poorer and deprived communities with special focus on girls and women, their dignity, uplifting of their socio-legal status, protection of child rights, and facilitating educational opportunities for girls and women. The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh is a region known for its distinct demographic composition, cultural diversity, and historical complexities. There are various tribes in this area, such as the Chakma, Marma,Tripura, Tanchangya, Khyang, Pangkhua etc., who differ from the Bengali majority of Bangladesh in their language, culture, physical appearance, religion, dress and farming methods. Presently WEAVE is working in Rangamati Hill District. Besides, WEAVE also worked in several upazilas of neighboring Chittagong District during 2016-2018. Most of the working areas of WEAVE are populated by the different small ethnic communities such as Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Khiyang, Pankhua etc. and alongside the mainstream Bengali community. Most of the working areas are poverty and disaster prone. The people of these areas have to lead their life by struggling against landslide, soil erosion, water crisis and seasonal food crisis almost every year. Primarily, socio-economy of CHT is based on indigenous agriculture, which is quite different from that of plains in terms of basis, land use, methodology and practices. The unique method of agriculture in CHT is known as ‘Jum cultivation’ or Swidden Cultivation (slash and burn). The climate change has affected the productivity of farms and forests lowering community harvest and income. With livelihood getting more difficult in the CHT, Indigenous men and women are resorting to out-migration, seeking labour in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) within Chittagong and in the capital city of Dhaka. Most are joining the garment and other manufacturing sectors and security provides agencies. Most Indigenous communities are patriarchal. Hence, most women lack inheritance rights to properties. Indigenous women are particularly subjected to poverty, low nutrition levels and limited access to education. Most of the positions in the customary institutions are occupied by men. With men becoming increasingly involved in the political situation of the CHT, women have had to diversify their roles in the home, community and market place. Women not only carry out household activities, but also they are playing active role in agriculture and market based economies. They have taken a lead role in working in the Jum fields, maintaining home gardens and selling produces in the market place. Furthermore, women are not even paid equally for their labor in cultivation. The condition of CHT women needs to improve for ensuring good governance in the region.