The ProNurse Project – Advancing Women’s Empowerment in Bangladesh
In 2014, CASN joined an initiative called the ProNurse project, which aims to improve the quality of gender-responsive education and enhance the professional status of nurses in Bangladesh. Outputs include implementing an accreditation program for nursing education programs in that country.
This 5-year project (2021-26), funded by Global Affairs Canada, will be led by Cowater International and delivered in association with the University of Montreal, and CASN. The team will be collaborating closely with the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM), the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council (BNMC) and the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
See Cowater International’s June 2, 2021 press release for more info.
In 2022, CASN travelled to Bangladesh and guided important workshops with the Bangladesh Nursing Midwifery Council’s Competency Review Working Group. The parties worked together to review and update the Bangladesh accreditation program for nursing programs and refine nursing education competencies as part of Cowater International’s ProNurse project to increase professionalization of the nursing sector in Bangladesh.
CASN’s collaboration with the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council continued to grow in 2025 and 2026 with in‑country workshops led alongside the Council’s Competency Review Working Group. These sessions played a key role in the co‑development of the ProNurse Accreditation Program, advancing shared goals for excellence in nursing and midwifery education.
“It has been a privilege for the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) to work alongside the ProNurse team in Bangladesh to strengthen the foundation of nursing education in the country. Together, we are supporting the development of a national licensing examination, have delivered educator capacity-building workshops, and advanced accreditation standards for nursing programs. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to quality, accountability, and excellence in nursing education — ultimately contributing to stronger health systems and improved patient care across Bangladesh.” — Jean Daniel Jacob, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing
Building on this work, CASN supported the creation of national guidelines and a detailed Procedure Manual for Developing, Reviewing, and Writing Final End‑of‑Year Exams in Bangladesh, helping to strengthen assessment practices and ensure alignment with competency‑based education.
See Cowater International's April 2026 update on the project.
“In Bangladesh, nurses play a critical role in healthcare delivery, yet many face barriers that limit their professional growth and influence. The Empowering Women through Professionalization of the Nursing Sector in Bangladesh (ProNurse) Project, funded by Global Affair Canada is working to change that. By providing targeted capacity building , leadership development, and gender-responsive support, ProNurse helps nurses advance in their careers and drive systemic change in the nursing profession.” —Cowater International
Expected Results
ProNurse is designed to achieve the following outcomes:
- Improved quality of gender-responsive education for female nurses in both public and private sectors in Bangladesh
- Improved performance and professional status of female nurses in Bangladesh
- Improved enabling environment to support increased participation of female nurses in the health sector.
To learn more about ProNurse, visit cowater.com/ProNurse or contact: press@casn.ca