© 2005, care usa. all rights reserved. european union arshi implemented by: jashis & srds...

© 2005, CARE USA. All rights reserved.European Union

ARSHIImplemented By: JASHIS & SRDS

Technical Support: CARE Bangladesh & Funded by: European Commission

Working with men & boys to end SGBV in remote Bangladesh

Md. Imtiazul Islam, Team Leader, ARSHI-CARE Bangladesh for Global Symposium on Engaging Men for Gender Equality, Brazil, April 2009




Working Area: Sunamganj - geographically and socio-economically most vulnerable - all 10 sub-districts covering 42 lowest ranking of 84 unions

ARSHI (CARE-EC) meaning “mirror” in native language stands for Adolescents’ and Women’s Reproductive and Sexual Health Initiative. Aims to save mothers from deaths and disabilities and promotes safer and productive adolescence.

Key target 300,000 adolescents and women (age 15-49). Also works strategically with men to end discriminatory, unfair and abusive social norms

that affects girls and women very adversely.

Brief on the project




ARSHI working areas in the remotest locations




Brief on the process

Key processes of data gathering:• Community diagnosis, Situational

Analysis and Baseline Survey• Using in-depth interviews, FGDs,

exercises and tools (e.g. big snake and ladder games, body mapping, mind mapping, role plays, story telling, etc.) and

• Community consultations

Data were collected through both interviews and active involvements of

• Staff• Victims and perpetrators • parents/gate-keepers, community

members, institutional representatives




Key scenario/findings

• Almost 95% of girls faced worst forms of eve teasing and sexual harassments,

• men/boys thinks girls provoke these trough dresses, movements, etc. or they enjoy these (ET/SH) but can not express,

• they treat sexual & gender based violence, including rape/gang rape, as means to teach/give girls/women lessons,

• girls at their puberty and with their bodily/growing beauty are most vulnerable, • insecurities originating from SH

is one of the key root causes of stopping education and fostering child marriages resulting poor SRH and maternal deaths, no free expressions from girls are treated/ acceptable




Key scenario/findings – Unmarried men in an FGD

• “Girls should be careful in their behaviour and movements. We (men/boys) feel attracted and tempted to talk and touch them because of their beauty. This is also why they should be very cautious when they are in front of men. They should well-cover their body and lower their gaze during their movement. They should not roam around on their own. But if they do not follow these rules they would get shikkha (lessons). If they are shortly dressed, decorated, walk jerking their hair, body, etc. the men would like to get them, touch them and have sex with them”

• “Also if the girls/women come out unaccompanied (by men) in empty fields or bushes men will feel provoked and will attack them and force them to have sex. Often they (men) attack and rape such girls in group and each of them will have a share – the most powerful ones will get first chances and the less powerful ones will get chance after them”

• “They girls also want these* but they are unable to express that. We men can express and get as well. But in comparison men are

hungrier than women”




Our principles & approaches

life skills ARSHI

highest sensitivity& do no harm

advocacy & media

creativity & innovations in everyone

empowerment

culture, sports, ICT and tradition-based

approach

self-help & solidarity




In ARSHI engaging men and boys is a central strategy beside empowering girls and women. Following are some evidences:• Utilizing several indoor and outdoor tools/exercises/games (e.g. big snake and ladders) men and boys are initially sensitized and are able to analyze how their usual practices (including SGBV- sexual and gender based violence) as well as prevailing other unfair social norms affect girls and women adversely on an ongoing basis• Engaging men and boys in monitoring SGBV and analysis of true incidences of violence, formation of critical masses or forums to prevent any future incidences and at a point declaration of violence free and safe communities under Community Led Total Social Change Initiatives (CLTSCI)• Men’s action (human chain, rally, demonstrations and assemblies) initially to protest/speak up against violence then towards stopping them• Utilization of Forum Theatre to sensitize and engage greater community.• Extensive media engagements and campaigns• Greater partnerships and alliance building to influence national policies

Accomplishments so far




Collaborations & CoordinationWithin CARE: CARE International Members Program Quality & P-Shift Social Empowerment Economic Empowerment

Education Unit CSO Unit Impact Monitoring & Learning Unit

Gender UnitOther Projects

Collaborations & CoordinationOutside CARE:

MoHFWMoYMoEMoWCAInternational NGOs

Bi-lateral organizations UN Organizations CBOs & CSOs Local & National NGOs




Some actions

Men & boys Forum theatre trainingMen & boys taking stances against SGBV




Thanks a lot

from ARSHI Team

Bangladesh

© 2005, care usa. all rights reserved. european union arshi implemented by: jashis & srds...

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