Shakti Foundation and the Australian High Commission, Dhaka have signed an agreemnet to work together towards improving the quality of life of female sex workers, their children, and the Transgender community, who have long been marginalized from social and economic rights. The signing ceremony was attended by Susan Ryle, Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Representing Shakti Foundation were Dr. Shamsher Ali Khan, Senior Director and Head of the Health and Climate Change Program, and Labiba Rahman, Strategic Advisor, Climate Change Program. Through this partnership, the "Circle of Care" project will be implemented to support female sex workers, their children, and members of the Transgender community. The project will provide livelihood skills training for self-reliance, sexual and reproductive health services, and psychosocial counseling support to help strengthen their social and economic well-being.
At Shakti Foundation, we believe that access to healthcare, dignity, and opportunities for development are fundamental rights for every individual. Through this initiative, we aspire to promote greater social inclusion, empowerment, and the realization of rights for marginalized communities, creating pathways toward a more equitable and inclusive society. Because access to essential services is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right for all.