About Our Organization

Background

Joyita Protibondhi Nari Unnayan Sangstha (JPNUS) is a voluntary Disabled People’s Organization (DPO) established in 2017 in southwest coastal Bangladesh. It addresses challenges faced by marginalized groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and indigenous and Dalit communities. Governed by 35 general and 7 executive members from underprivileged backgrounds, JPNUS combines lived experience with a strong commitment to social justice and disability inclusion. Operating in a climate-vulnerable region near the Sundarbans and the Bay of Bengal, the organization tackles issues like natural disasters, land salinity, and declining agricultural productivity, which often exacerbate disability.

Our Vision

To establish the proper socio-economic status of women, left behind minority (Adibashi, Dalits) and persons with disabilities in society and to make them aware of climate change, environment and ecosystem and to provide them with a happy and dignified life. To ensure proper human rights of women, left behind minority (Adibashi, Dalits) and persons with disabilities in society.

Our Mission

• Empowerment of women with disabilities: To establish the human rights, social and economic rights of women with disabilities, so that they can live a dignified life.
• Economic development and self-reliance: To create employment and run skill development programs for women with disabilities, minority ethnic groups and poor people.
• Climate change awareness: To make people aware of climate change and its effects and create opportunities for participation in environmental protection.
• Human rights and social justice: To protect the human rights of persons with disabilities and create a safe, equal environment.
• Protection of children's rights: To ensure the education, health and safety of children with disabilities, and to protect their development and rights.
• Social movements and awareness raising: Social movements and public awareness raising on human rights, climate change, disability rights, and children's rights.

Our Strategy

• Advocacy and Awareness
• Promote awareness on disability rights, human rights, and gender equality.
• Conduct community campaigns on climate change, environment, and ecosystem preservation.
• Organize awareness street dramas and pot songs (a traditional storytelling method using painted scrolls and songs) to engage and educate local communities.
• Raise awareness among low-caste minority groups (Indigenous, Dalit) about their rights and entitlements.
• Capacity Building and Education
• Organize training programs on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
• Encourage women’s education and leadership development within marginalized communities.
• Provide training on agroecology to address challenges of salinity and sustainable farming.
• Collaboration with Local and Government Stakeholders
• Work in concert with local government and government officers to implement development programs.
• Partner with government departments for joint events and initiatives.
• Engage local community leaders and institutions to ensure program sustainability.
• Collaboration with Stakeholders
• Work with local government, officials, and community leaders.
• Partner with government departments for joint initiatives.
• Disaster Preparedness & Climate Adaptation
• Implement climate-resilient practices and alternative livelihoods.
• Mitigate climate change impacts near Sundarbans and Bay of Bengal.
• Socio-Economic Empowerment
• Support income-generating activities for marginalized groups.
• Facilitate access to financial resources and government schemes.
• Advocate for equal socio-economic opportunities.
• Community Inclusion & Participation
• Ensure programs are inclusive and participatory.
• Promote cultural, religious, and political harmony.
• Cultural Engagement
• Use traditional arts to convey critical messages.
• Preserve cultural practices within awareness programs.
• Monitoring & Evaluation
• Regularly assess program impact and adapt strategies.
• Maintain transparency and accountability.
• Sustainability & Long-term Vision
• Promote sustainable agroecology and community resilience.
• Ensure dignity and respect for persons with disabilities, women, and marginalized groups.

Objectives

JPNUS aims to empower marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities, women, and low-caste minority groups (Indigenous, Dalit), through education, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives that promote human rights, gender equality, and socio-economic inclusion. The organization raises awareness on disability rights, climate change, agroecology, and environmental conservation, using tools like street dramas and pot songs to engage local communities effectively. It focuses on climate change adaptation and disaster resilience, promoting sustainable practices to address challenges such as salinity and loss of arable land. JPNUS collaborates with local government, departments, and community leaders to implement development initiatives and foster partnerships for socio-economic improvement. It supports income-generating activities, facilitates access to resources for economic independence, and ensures inclusive, participatory approaches that strengthen social cohesion. The organization also seeks to preserve traditional cultural practices, establish sustainable models for livelihoods and environmental conservation, and improve quality of life, enabling marginalized groups to live with dignity and equality. All programs are monitored rigorously to ensure effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.