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On 21 and 22 June 2023, Sabina delivered bespoke legal skills training and advocacy training to final year and alumni students at BRAC University, Dhaka.

Students from BRAC university, East West University and Bangladesh University of Professionals participated in the training programme.

The training focused on ‘promoting inclusion awareness’. The students received training on how to handle hearing impaired clients and witnesses in court. Supported by sign language interpreters, the students received training on factual analysis, conference skills and advocacy skills. The students were required to carry out Examination-in-Chief and Cross-Examination of witnesses in a mock court scenario. The students were also required to deliver closing speeches.

For the duration of the training programme, Sabina was the Master Trainer and the Assistant Trainer was MD Adnan Khairullah, Coordinator, Student Life, BRAC University. The Project delivery was wholeheartedly supported by: Dr Dave Dowland, Registrar at BRAC University, Tahsina Rahman, Joint Director, Student Life, BRAC University. Also; Sazeeda Johra Thakur, Senior Lecturer of Law, BRAC University and Arnob K Saha, Manager of Alumni Relations, BRAC University. Jahirul Islam, Executive Direction of Team Inclusion and Professor Sharin Shajahan Naomi, formerly of the Asian University of Women also provided their extensive support for the delivery of the training programme.

Keynote opening speeches were delivered by; Aishah Hussain (UK Specialist), Raoman Smita (Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh) and Subir Kumar Saha (Coordinator, GUK).

At the end of the training programme, all of the students, trainers and supporters pledged to promote inclusion throughout their student and professional lives.

To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March 2023, Sabina was invited to attend as a speaker at the SDG Youth Forum conference titled ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’.

In January 2023, Sabina and a team of UK Experts including; Mrs Justice Maura McGowan, Her Honour Judge Khatun Sapnara, Sibby Salter and Louise McCullough travelled to Dhaka, Bangladesh to deliver the WIGs training programme designed for law students, lawyers and Judges. Law students and lawyers received ‘Bespoke Training in Legal Skills & The Art of Advocacy’. While Judges attended ‘Bespoke Judge-craft workshops’. The delivery of The WIGs Project was a huge success and received significant positive feedback including; ‘I really can’t wait to use some of the techniques taught during the workshop’ and ‘It was excellent. I just wished it went on for a bit longer’.

At the outset, Sabina would like to thank the UK team of Experts for their Pro Bono support for The WIGs Project.
Sabina would also like to thank; Mr Justice Hasan Foez Siddiqui, Honourable Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Mr Anisul Huq MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Mr Golam Sarwar, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, for their support for the Project also. Sabina would like to acknowledge and highlight the funding and extensive logistical support provided by A4iD and ROLE UK of the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).
Sabina would also like to thank Dr Mahbub, Mr Shamsuddin Masum and Judge Nusrat of the Law Ministry for all their hard work and commitment in ensuring the smooth delivery of the project for the Judges’ sessions.
Sabina also wishes to thank Barrister, Mr A B M Hamidul Mishbah of Old Bailey Chambers for his very generous support for the Project. Thanks also to Barrister Azima Chowdhury for her support. Thank you also to Mr Rafiq Rafiquzzaman of the British High Commission for all his support. A special thanks to Barrister and local partner for The WIGs Project, Nadia Rahman for all her hard work and commitment.

2nd January 2023: Sabina hosted a ‘Thank You’ dinner for the UK team of Experts, Law Ministry officials including Mr Golam Sarwar, Dr Mahbub, Mr Masum and Judge Nusrat. The dinner was also attended by Barristers; Mr Hamidul Mishbah, Ms Azima Chowdhury and Ms Nadia Rahman. Professor Naomi of the Asian University for Women and Mr Rafiq Rafiquzzaman of the British High Commission Office were also in attendance. It was a pleasure to meet with all those supportive of The WIGs Project and the evening was enjoyed by all.

3rd January 2023: The Law Ministry arranged for the UK team to visit the Lower Courts in Dhaka to observe hearings and speak with Judges.

In the evening, a drinks reception was held at Old Bailey Chambers for law student delegates. This was an opportunity for the students to meet with the UK team of trainers informally.

Later, the UK team were hosted by Mr Hamidul Mishbah of Old Bailey Chambers at The BAGHA Club. Many Barristers and others from the legal sector in Bangladesh attended the event in honour of the UK team.

4th January 2023: The training for students commenced with an overview of factual analysis and conference skills.

Also on 4 January, Sabina and the UK Judges met with Mr Anisul Huq MP, Honourable Minister and Mr Golam Sarwar, Law Secretary. An inauguration ceremony was also held for the Judges’ workshops at Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI). The event was attended by Mr Anisul Huq MP and Mr Golam Sarwar. Sabina was the Anchor for the event.

In the evening, the UK team were hosted by British High Commissioner, Robert Chatterton Dickson at his residency alongside the UK All Party Parliamentarian Group (APPG) for a drinks reception.

5th January 2023: The training continued for the law students learning the art of advocacy. The students enjoyed a closing ceremony with the UK trainers.

The judges’ workshop also continued.

In the evening, the UK team were hosted by Syed Afzal Hasan Uddin, Managing Partner at SYED ISHTIAQ AHMED & ASSOCIATES for a lavish, yet traditional Bangladeshi feast at his residence.

6th January 2023: training for the lawyers commenced.

The judicial training also continued at JATI.

On the 7th January 2023: the training for lawyers closed. All delegates received certificates signed by Sabina and Hamidul Mishbah. The certificates were awarded by Justice Naima Haida.

The Judges’ sessions also concluded. A closing ceremony was held attended by Mr Justice Hasan Foez Siddiqui, Honourable Chief Justice of Bangladesh. Sabina was the Anchor for the closing ceremony and certificates were provided to all of the delegate Judges.

The evening concluded with a dinner attended by the UK team of Experts, Mr Golam Sarwar, Dr Mahbub, Mr Masum and Judge Nusrat of the Law Ministry. There was also just enough time for final goodbyes and an exchange of gifts.

And finally, a special thank you and goodbye between Sabina and Nadia. Both of whom are devoted WIGs partners seeking to improve access to justice for those most vulnerable in Bangladesh.

On 19 November 2022, Sabina and the WIGs team delivered the online ‘Learning Together’ introductory session to Bangladeshi students, advocates and Barristers. All of the speakers emphasised the importance and value of learning together within the legal sector.

On 12 November 2022, Sabina and the WIGs team delivered the online ‘Learning in Partnership’ introductory session to 40 Bangladeshi judges. All of the speakers emphasised the importance and value of international learning in partnership.

In July 2022, Sabina travelled to Bangladesh to meet with Barristers, Judges, Law Ministry officials and officials from the British High Commission Office. During her stay, Sabina held high level meetings in preparation for the online and in person training sessions due to take place at the end of 2022/early 2023.

On 11 September 2021, Sabina moderated an online learning session in which the UK Judge trainers delivered training on ‘Gender Sensitive Issues in the Criminal and Family Courts’.

This session was attended by 23 Bangladeshi female Judges from several districts in Bangladesh including; Sylhet, Khulna, Chattogram, Barishal, Cox’s Bazaar, Comilla, Habiganj, Faridpur and many more.

This session was delivered as a prelude to the in-person training due to be delivered in Bangladesh.

Sabina and her team of UK Judge and Barrister trainers presenting at the ‘Women in Law’ seminar in collaboration with the Asian University for Women (AUW) and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) on 22 May 2021.

Following this seminar, on 3 and 10 July 2021, 20 AUW students from Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan and other neighbouring countries were provided with bespoke advocacy and related skills training by Sabina and the UK Barrister trainers.

The students received training in: factual analysis, conference skills and advocacy training.

Following the training, 5 students were offered a work placement at Ain o Salish Kendra in Dhaka, Bangladesh and Law & Policy Forum for Social Justice (LAPSOJ) in Kathmandu, Nepal.

This collaboration demonstrates the positive impact of women in law working together and supporting each other.