CPD
The Centre for Development and Peace (CPD) is a Fairtrade NGO in Meherpur, Eastern Bangladesh, and supports more than 250 skilled women. It is a non-political and not-for-profit women’s organisation created to help and empower the most vulnerable and at risk women and children; widows, victims of trafficking, sex workers, the transgender community, and Dalits (low caste Hindus).
The women of Meherpur and its districts face countless challenges in life that are hard to imagine for those living in developed western countries. They are exposed to gender inequality, domestic violence, child marriage, illiteracy, unemployment and sadly, sex trafficking.
Training women in the traditional art of kantha opens a door to many, enabling them to generate a sustainable income for themselves and their families. The CDP directly invest in women's rights and social mobility. They run programs providing better access to education, human rights, community health and environmental sustainability, striving to break the chain of poverty and injustice and building towards a brighter future
The CPD is a member of the ECOTA Fair Trade Federation, Bangladesh's national fair trade organisation.
"In Meherpur & it’s neighbouring districts women are treated inferiorly to men - socially, politically and economically - and are uninformed of their constitutional and basic human rights. Polygamy, dowry, divorce, trafficking, child marriage and child labour are common phenomenon in the CDP’s working areas.
Women and children need better access to education and financial sustainability in order to eliminate this cycle of poverty and injustice"
— CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE