Speakers said women’s empowerment, meaningful youth participation, and stronger community engagement are essential to building social cohesion and lasting peace in Cox’s Bazar at a dissemination seminar organized by ActionAid Bangladesh on Sunday.
ActionAid Bangladesh organised the seminar, titled “Youth-Led Action Research Following Feminist Research Principles”, at the Zila Parishad Auditorium in Cox’s Bazar on 25 October. The event brought together youth researchers, civil society representatives and programme stakeholders to discuss research findings on peacebuilding, social cohesion and access to inclusive public services.
Conducted with technical support from Research Initiatives Bangladesh (RIB), the research brought together five youth-led participatory action research studies across Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ukhiya and Teknaf. The studies examined the role of local government in social cohesion; barriers to gender-responsive public services; women’s and girls’ participation in peacebuilding; youth-led early warning and conflict prevention; and young people’s role in addressing online misinformation and hate speech.
Presenting the consolidated findings, Ruhi Naz, Deputy Director of RIB, highlighted how everyday challenges, including rumours, misinformation, limited access to public services and unequal opportunities for participation, can weaken trust within communities.
The findings showed that although many of the communities studied have peaceful coexistence, sustaining social cohesion requires inclusive participation, reliable information, responsive local institutions, and opportunities for people to address shared concerns through dialogue.
The research also highlighted barriers faced by women and girls, including family restrictions, fear of social judgment, limited mobility, and a lack of opportunities to influence community decisions. The report recommended creating safe spaces for women and girls, improving access to information and services, and strengthening their participation in local decision-making.
Fariha Hossain, Project Manager at ActionAid Bangladesh, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of youth-led research in bringing community experiences into peacebuilding and programme development.
“Young people have the potential to identify community concerns and contribute to practical solutions. Their participation becomes even more meaningful when women and girls can also express their views, influence decisions and take part in building peaceful and inclusive communities,” she said.
Youth researchers representing the five teams shared reflections on their research experiences and discussed how their findings could inform community-level action. Their recommendations included strengthening dialogue with local authorities, improving public awareness of available services, supporting women’s participation in peacebuilding and promoting responsible information-sharing.
A civil society representative, Shomaya Kamal, Executive Director
Suzala Mahila Samiti emphasised the importance of women’s empowerment in strengthening social cohesion.
“Women’s empowerment must go beyond participation in meetings. Women and girls need the confidence, safe spaces, and opportunities to express their concerns and influence decisions that affect their lives. Their leadership is essential to building peaceful and inclusive communities,” the representative said.
A journalist participating in the discussion highlighted the role of responsible media and information-sharing in preventing community tensions.
“Rumours and unverified information can damage trust and create misunderstanding within communities. Young people, journalists and community leaders can work together to verify information, challenge misinformation and share positive stories that encourage mutual understanding,” the journalist said.
The report also identified the potential of youth-led networks to help recognise emerging tensions, promote verified information and connect community concerns with relevant institutions. It stressed that such initiatives require appropriate training, clear responsibilities, confidentiality and safe referral mechanisms. The seminar included an open discussion and stakeholder reflections on translating the research findings into practical action.
The research recommends developing clear action plans with assigned responsibilities and timelines, strengthening links between youth groups and local authorities, improving access to public-service information, and establishing safe mechanisms for addressing misinformation and emerging community concerns.
The studies used qualitative research in selected communities and are not intended to represent the entire population of Cox’s Bazar. They provide locally grounded insights to inform further dialogue, advocacy and peacebuilding initiatives.
ActionAid Bangladesh works to advance social justice, gender equality and human rights. Since the arrival of Rohingya refugees in 2017, the organisation has worked alongside Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar to address humanitarian needs, strengthen community resilience and promote social cohesion.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
