Date: 09 November 2026  
Venue: District and Sessions Judge Court, Joypurhat  
Time: 11:00 AM

Action and Light, under the MSF EmpowerHer Project, organised an institutional linkage meeting with the District Legal Aid Committee (DLAC) at the District and Sessions Judge Court, Joypurhat, on 09 November 2026.

The meeting aimed to strengthen coordination between the project, the District Legal Aid Committee and legal aid professionals to improve access to justice for women and marginalised communities. Discussions focused on litigation support provided to survivors and vulnerable individuals in Panchbibi Upazila, as well as the ongoing activities of Union Legal Aid Committees.

The participants highlighted the importance of strengthening referral mechanisms, ensuring access to legal assistance, and fostering sustainable collaboration between local-level rights mechanisms and formal justice institutions.

The meeting was attended by five legal aid lawyers, including District Legal Aid Panel Lawyer Advocate Mahfuzur Rahman Chowdhury; Asmaul Husna, Staff Lawyer of the MSF EmpowerHer Project; Dr. Sazzadul Bari, Executive Director of Action and Light; and Biplob Ali, Upazila Facilitator of the project, among others.

This initiative represents an important step towards strengthening institutional partnerships, improving access to justice, and ensuring effective legal support for women and vulnerable communities at the local level.

About the Project:  
The MSF EmpowerHer Project is implemented under the Nagorikata CEF Programme, with funding from the Embassy of Switzerland and Global Affairs Canada, and support from GFA Consulting Group. The project is being implemented in eight unions of Panchbibi Upazila, Joypurhat, with a focus on strengthening citizen participation, protecting human rights, promoting gender equality and improving access to justice.