Shadow Minister for International Development visits Bangladesh projects

Mark Simmonds MP, the Conservative Shadow Minister for International Development, travelled to Bangladesh in February 2007 to visit various Plan projects in the country.

Mark Simmonds MP in the middle of a paddy field in rural Bangladesh

This was his first visit to Bangladesh and he was keen to learn more about the issues facing the country, including the impact that climate change is having on the poorer communities there and how micro-finance initiatives have helped to alleviate poverty.

Emily Bild, Policy and Advocacy Officer at Plan UK said, "Taking MPs like Mark to see our work not only gives them a deeper understanding of what Plan does but also increases the amount of support for development issues in Parliament.

"As Shadow Minister for International Development, Mark will be able to advocate on behalf of the communities that Plan work with and ensure that their voice is heard by MPs across all political parties."

Mark and Plan staff at a pre-school for 3-4 year olds in the Khansama area, Northern Bangladesh

Education

During the visit, Mark had the opportunity to see a number of schools and health centres in some of the most deprived communities and to learn more about how Plan’s child-centred community development approach is helping to tackle the issue of child poverty in Bangladesh.

60 million girls globally are not in school, despite the commitment of governments worldwide to achieve universal primary education.

Lesson taking place at a secondary school for girls in the Khansama area, northern Bangladesh

Bangladesh has made significant progress in ensuring girls are educated through its scholarship programme for girls’ secondary education. This programme provides a small stipend to families whose daughters attend secondary school and, in districts where it operates, girls’ enrolment has risen to 44%, which is almost twice the national average.

When Mark asked the girls what they wanted to do after they completed high school, many of them said they wanted to become teachers or engineers.

A health and sanitation class for mothers, taking place in the Khansama area, northern Bangladesh

Sanitation

Good sanitation practices and access to hand-washing and bathing facilities are essential for good health. It is therefore vital that these messages are communicated to all members of the community in a way which is appropriate to their gender, culture, traditions and age.

This class in Bangladesh is an example of how Plan’s community based programmes work in practice. The lessons learnt by these mothers will be communicated to their children and will benefit all members of the community.

A child's birth certificate

Universal Birth Registration

Universal Birth Registration is a key part of Plan’s work. Children who are not registered at birth are often unable to access their rights to education and healthcare and can’t be protected against early marriage and child labour.

Once a child is registered, they are able to access the benefits of citizenship and are more likely to enjoy their rights. This village in northern Bangladesh has now been able to register all the children born there.

Mark at the centre for street children in Dhaka

Street children

Mark also visited a centre for street children in one of the poorest parts of Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital city. The centre provides children with the support of essential services such as shelter and education and has facilitated the development of income generation activities for these children.

The centre also enables children to work together and allows this marginalized group to ensure their voice is heard and their stake in society recognised and respected.

Mark’s feedback on the visit and on Plan’s work was very positive and he is now working hard to highlight the many challenges facing the poorer communities of Bangladesh.

Action for the future

Mark has been asking the Department for International Development questions in Parliament about their work with children in Bangladesh. He is also working hard to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on the poorest communities and the role that micro-finance can play in alleviating poverty.

Plan is working to ensure that all political parties are aware of our key policy priorities. The Conservative Party is currently developing its international development strategy and we are responding to requests for information about the ways in which they can best work to alleviate poverty and promote the rights of children.

"With the help of interested MPs like Mark, we can ensure that all MPs are aware of what they can do to make a difference and ensure that they act to achieve long-lasting improvements which allow children to realise their potential," Emily Bild, Policy and Advocacy Officer.