The Promoting Optimism through Women Equity and Resilience (POWER) is a women-led, community-focused initiative implemented by the Association of Voluntary Actions for Society (AVAS), with support from UN Women through the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).

The project aims to strengthen the leadership, rights and meaningful participation of marginalized women and adolescent girls in climate justice, conflict prevention and local decision-making across the climate-vulnerable coastal areas of Char Fasson in Bhola, Shyamnagar in Satkhira and Koyra in Khulna.

Climate-related hazards, resource scarcity, displacement and environmental degradation can intensify tensions over land, water and livelihoods. Women and girls, particularly those from indigenous communities, persons with disabilities and climate-displaced households, often face barriers to participating in disaster preparedness, recovery and local governance.

POWER will address these challenges through community awareness, women-led climate clubs, strengthened local civil society organizations, gender-responsive disaster risk reduction planning, early-warning initiatives and engagement with local authorities. By creating inclusive platforms for women and girls to influence decisions, the project seeks to contribute to climate justice, community resilience and conflict prevention.