Breaking Cycles That Limit Opportunity
Imagine a rice farmer whose annual yield is destroyed by a devastating flood. He no longer has a way to feed and educate his children. When a man asks to marry his 13-year-old daughter, he agrees, believing it is a step toward a better future.
In reality, this young girl’s life becomes more difficult. She leaves school, loses her ability to make decisions, and faces serious health risks from early childbirth. Her future—and her ability to care for her own children—is compromised, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
“At a community level, lack of education and knowledge prevents families from escaping poverty. They miss out on training and resources that could help them improve their livelihoods,” explains Gertrude Omoro, World Renew Program Manager. “Programs that focus on educating and empowering girls have shown to be the most effective in breaking this cycle.”
Expanding Support for Youth and Families
For decades, World Renew has worked in communities in Bangladesh where teenage pregnancy, school dropouts, and child marriage are prevalent. World Renew is grateful to announce that a new program—approved and primarily funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC)—will build on this longstanding work and expand its reach to more vulnerable youth.
The program, SAY SRHR (Supportive Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights), will provide information and support to young people and their families, particularly girls aged 10–24, in select communities in Bangladesh.
“By supporting efforts against child marriage, we can ensure that girls stay in school, gain valuable skills, and contribute to their communities,” said Omoro, who will manage this program. “This not only benefits the girls but also their families and the entire community, creating a brighter and more sustainable future for everyone involved.”
GAC is contributing $7,886,330 CAD over five years, supporting the overall implementation of this initiative.
Strengthening Communities for Lasting Change
A key feature of World Renew’s work in Bangladesh is the establishment of People’s Institutions that actively include women and help shift restrictive gender norms. Women are equipped and encouraged to apply their skills beyond the home, pursue economic opportunities, and participate in initiatives such as Village Savings and Loan Associations and small business development.
Through the SAY SRHR program, World Renew will scale up efforts to support young people at critical stages of their lives, helping them recognize opportunities beyond traditional gender roles. Girls will be better equipped to understand their rights, care for their bodies, and access reproductive health and family planning information. Families will gain knowledge on preventing child marriage and supporting healthy development during the first 1,000 Days of Life. Women will be encouraged and supported to advocate for change in practices that limit their potential.
The SAY SRHR program is expected to directly benefit approximately 210,937 participants in two communities in Bangladesh: the Dinajpur and Netrokona districts. Through shared knowledge and community engagement, it is anticipated that an additional 450,000 people will be positively impacted.
“World Renew is proud to work in partnership with the Government of Canada as we honour our shared commitment to assisting the world’s most vulnerable,” says Mike White, Interim Executive Director of World Renew Canada. “Thanks also to our donors from churches and communities around the world who help make our mission of living justice, loving mercy, and serving Christ possible.”
