Dhaka, Oct. 14 -- Every year, International Rural Women's Day reminds us of the indispensable role rural women play in ensuring food security, sustaining families, and driving the local economy. Yet, behind this celebration lies an uncomfortable truth: many of the initiatives that have improved the lives of rural women in Bangladesh now face uncertainty as donor support-particularly from USAID-wanes.

Over the last two decades, international and national NGOs have profoundly transformed Bangladesh's rural landscape. Their work can be broadly seen in three areas-promoting new knowledge, transferring appropriate technologies, and creating inclusive business models.

Knowledge promotion has revolutionised agricultural and aquacultural practi...