Tell us about yourself.
My name is Roksana Kamal and I currently serve as a Project Officer at the Fred Hollows Foundation. Prior to joining the Fred Hollows Foundation, I served in the capacity of a Program Support Officer for Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health Support at Médecins du Monde. In this role, I had the privilege of working on the frontlines, providing indispensable assistance and advocacy for individuals affected by GBV and mental health issues in forcefully displaced Myanmar nationalities, specifically the Rohingya Community.
At the Fred Hollows Foundation, I am committed to contributing to the mission of eliminating avoidable blindness and enhancing access to quality eye care for underserved populations in Khulna and Chattogram Divisions, Bangladesh. My previous experiences in addressing complex social issues have endowed me with valuable insights and skills that I bring to my present role. Here, I collaborate with diverse stakeholders to implement impactful projects and initiatives.
As I continue this journey of service and advocacy, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of organizations such as the Fred Hollows Foundation and Médecins du Monde, where I can contribute to meaningful change and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
We would love to know what was your inspiration that led to you to entering the development landscape?
As I reflect on my journey into the development landscape, I am reminded of the confluence of experiences, convictions, and aspirations that has led me to where I am today. I witnessed firsthand the disparities and injustices that marginalized communities, particularly women, faced in accessing essential resources and opportunities. I saw women struggling to make ends meet, lacking access to education, healthcare, and other necessities. These experiences ignited within me a deep-seated desire to effect positive change and contribute to building more equitable societies.
My journey into the development landscape was not easy. As a woman, I faced numerous challenges and barriers, including discrimination, stereotyping, and lack of representation. However, my passion and determination kept me going, and I persevered.
Today, I am proud to be part of a community of changemakers who are working towards a common goal – creating a world that is more equitable, just, and sustainable. My ultimate goal is to effect positive change and make a meaningful impact in the lives of people who face similar challenges.
How important is the role of women in the development sector?
The role of women in the development sector is crucial and cannot be overstated. Women play a significant part in driving sustainable development, promoting gender equality, and empowering communities. Their contributions in areas such as education, health, entrepreneurship, and social welfare are key to building resilient and thriving societies. Recognizing and supporting the role of women in the development sector is essential for achieving long-term progress and positive change.
Tell us about your work at Médecins du Monde?
As a Program Support Officer in my previous role, I had the opportunity to provide crucial information and support to the Rohingya community and volunteers at Médecins du Monde. My primary focus was Gender-based violence and Mental health support. I was responsible for assisting in various aspects of program and project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
I took pride in ensuring that the programs ran smoothly and efficiently while keeping a close eye on the allocation of resources and meeting project goals effectively. I worked closely with various stakeholders, collected and analyzed data, and prepared reports that helped program teams in achieving their objectives.
In a world stricken by war and conflict as well as other forms of disasters, there is a rapid rise in gender based violence and mental health issues… what role do women in development have when it comes to alleviating the plight of the vulnerable groups?
Women play a crucial role in development, especially during times of crises. They have unique perspectives, strengths, and insights that are essential in helping vulnerable groups. Women often face more risks during crises, such as violence, displacement, and loss, due to their caregiving roles. Women are skilled at providing support and care to those in need, including children, the elderly, and other vulnerable populations. Their empathy and resilience help create community cohesion and solidarity in difficult times. Women are also instrumental in promoting gender equality and inclusive approaches to development. They challenge harmful gender norms and stereotypes that cause violence and discrimination, which leads to more equitable societies. By empowering women economically, socially, and politically, development efforts can address the source of vulnerability and create a sustainable and resilient community.
In addition, women’s leadership and participation in decision-making processes are crucial in shaping effective responses to crises. Their diverse experiences and perspectives enrich policy discussions and ensure that interventions are responsive to the needs of all individuals, regardless of gender or other identities. Women are powerful agents of change in the world, and their contributions are invaluable in helping vulnerable groups affected by crises.
Tell us about your work at the Fred Hollows Foundation?
Photographer: KM Asad
As a member of The Foundation, I joined the organization in 2021 with a primary role in project design, implementation, and monitoring. As part of my responsibilities, I assist partners in ensuring that all due diligence and compliance related issues are in place as per the Foundation and donor requirements. This helps to guarantee that all partnerships and projects are carried out in accordance with the highest standards. One of my key areas of focus is building effective relationships for partnership management towards eye care services. This involves collaborating closely with our partners to identify and pursue opportunities that can help to improve eye care services in the communities we serve. Through these partnerships, we aim to deliver a world in which no person is needlessly blind or vision impaired.
What role do women play when it comes to policies in the development sector?
The participation of women in policy-making processes is crucial for the advancement of gender equality and women’s rights. Women are more likely to be affected by poverty, discrimination, and social exclusion, and their own experiences provide valuable insights into the obstacles they face, and the solutions needed to overcome them. By actively involving women in policy development, governments, organizations, and institutions can better identify and address gender disparities, promote women’s empowerment, and foster more equitable development outcomes.
Additionally, women’s participation in decision-making process enhances the governance, accountability and sustainable development efforts
What are some of the most memorable moments working at the Fred Hollows Foundation?
Aduri attend school champions training for the student about how to check vision correction at Doha Government Primary School in Barishal.
Photographer: KM Asad
Working as a project officer at the Fred Hollows Foundation has been an enriching journey that has had a profound impact on both me and the communities we serve. One of the most unforgettable moments for me has been witnessing the life-changing impact of cataract surgeries on people who had been living with avoidable blindness. The joy and gratitude I saw in their eyes as they regained their sight and independence was truly humbling. Another aspect of my work that I cherish is collaborating with local communities to build sustainable eye care systems. Overall, working at the Fred Hollows Foundation as a project officer has been an incredible journey that has reignited my passion for humanitarian work and my commitment to making a positive difference in the world.
Any last words
Deep down in my heart, I yearn for a future where nobody has to suffer the unnecessary burden of blindness. Just imagine a world where all individuals are gifted with the power of sight, where the darkness that limits their vision is lifted, and where everyone can appreciate the beauty of the world regardless of their visual capabilities. Picture a world where the colors of the sky during sunset, the intricate details of the leaves on trees, and the expressions on people’s faces can be experienced by everyone – a world where nobody is left in the dark.
IMAGE: THE FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION
