For advocating the rights of marginalized youth, women, and hijra communities in Bangladesh, Noboprovat Foundation has been awarded the APCOM Hero Award 2024 in the Community Organization category.
The award ceremony was held on November 22 at the Sukosol Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
“We are deeply honored and grateful to receive this award. This recognition stands as a testament to the hard work of our team and the relentless courage of marginalized communities in Bangladesh. It will inspire and empower us to face future challenges with greater determination,” said the president of Noboprovat Foundation, Md. Yasin Ali, expressed his gratitude, following the recognition.
Founded on June 20, 2018, in a remote village in Rangpur under the leadership of Md. Yasin Ali, Noboprovat Foundation operates in regions plagued by poverty, illiteracy, religious intolerance, and widespread discrimination against hijra and other marginalized communities.
Despite these challenges, the organization has implemented several impactful initiatives, including:
Employment Projects: Training and job opportunities for rural women, hijra, and unemployed youth.
Voice of Colors Campaign: Helping rural marginalized youth develop leadership qualities.
Rohingya Youth Safety and Social Acceptance Project: Providing educational opportunities, mental health services, and HIV awareness for marginalized Rohingya youth.
In collaboration with The Asia Foundation’s Religious Equality and Access to Justice Project, Noboprovat Foundation has conducted awareness campaigns in Rangpur Sadar and Mithapukur Thanas, distributing posters, organizing youth talk shows, street dramas, and online campaigns to promote religious harmony.
Through the USAID Samata Project, the foundation offers legal aid, training, and awareness programs for hijra and marginalized youth, along with observing key awareness days.
Moreover, the foundation is in discussions with esteemed organizations like Free Press Unlimited, Article 19, and CREA to further enhance the living standards of these vulnerable groups.
These initiatives have positively impacted hundreds of marginalized individuals, instilling new hope and courage in their lives.
While Md. Yasin Ali was supposed to receive the award in person, he couldn’t attend due to visa complications. However, he has been invited to the APCOM Thailand office to collect the award.
The APCOM Hero Award is an annual initiative recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations in the Asia-Pacific region that work to promote health, rights, and equality for marginalized youth, hijra communities, and people living with HIV. The award is organized by APCOM, a regional organization headquartered in Thailand.
RSU
