More than 1500 women are directly benefiting and contributing in improving the management of the wetland resources, through the MACH project. The goal of MACH is to promote sustainable management of aquatic resources, such as fisheries and other wetland products, for a sustainable supply of food to the poor who are dependent on these resources. In addition to increasing household income and food security, the project also identifies supplementary livelihood options for its beneficiaries.

MACH has given special emphasis to mainstreaming gender into wetlands resource management. MACH is working to ensure equitable participation and opportunities for women both with the project Resource User Groups (RUGs) and Resource Management Organizations (RMOs) as well as in project staff.

Through MACH, women are receiving credit, skill development training, awareness raising sessions on socio-economic and life oriented issues, leadership training and adult literacy training. Thousands of women, as well as their wetland resource user families, are benefiting from the increased fish yields brought about through their own conservation efforts.

This year MACH will include an additional 240 women in Resource User Groups and some of these will be incorporated into the resource planning organizations that are increasing fish yields through conservation. It is expected that by the end of MACH - II an additional 350 women will receive leadership training and another 620 women will have received adult literacy training. MACH is providing 25 percent of all large enterprise loans to female RUG members. MACH has also committed to the inclusion of 25 percent female members in the RMO General Bodies and 20 percent female participation in the RMO Executive Committees.

The MACH project has given special emphasis to the recruitment of female staff within the project. A female Gender Specialist reviewed project initiatives to provide guidance to MACH management in the pursuit of its gender goals and targets in line with USAID indicators.

Bangladesh's Program Objectives

Selected Activities

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