bangladesh country report to the global board 2014 q3-q4 · campaigns on nutrition and women’s...
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Bangladesh Report to the Global Board for 2014 Q3-Q4 (May 2015) Page 1 of 8
Bangladesh Country Report to the Global Board
2014 Q3-Q4
Executive Summary
The Hunger Project-Bangladesh expanded work
in 2014 to 171 unions. Over the course of 2014,
THP-Bangladesh proved their ability to innovate as
leaders in the field of improving local governance, training, leadership
development, and community mobilization.
Specific advances occurred through the creation of new workshops and trainings
such as the citizenship trainings and social
harmony workshops, and increased support provided to the formation of social units
such as Ward Action Teams. In developing stronger ties between local government officials and members of their communities, while supporting trainings in citizenship and human rights, THP-
Bangladesh is starting to see social transformation take place through mobilized communities making visions and planning futures together, toward a more inclusive and peaceful Bangladesh.
Accomplishments National Girl Child Day. The Hunger Project-Bangladesh jointly celebrated National Girl Child Day on September 30, 2014 with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the National Girl
Child Advocacy Forum (NGCAF) and Shishu Academy under the theme “Ensure Health and Education: Stop Child Marriage.” The day was observed in 502 places across Bangladesh, in more than 300 unions, with an estimated 600,000 people having participated.
The day started with a rally inaugurated by Ms. Meher Afroz Chumki, the State Minister of the
Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA). Over 2,600 participants from 51 organizations took part in the rally. Many distinguished members of society spoke on behalf of
National Girl Child Day rally in Dhaka, featuring the Honorable State
Minister Meher Afroz Chumki of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs
Bangladesh Report to the Global Board for 2014 Q3-Q4 (May 2015) Page 2 of 8
girls’ rights and their commitment to ensure education, proper nutrition, and an enabling environment for gender equality, and the empowerment of girl children throughout Bangladesh.
The objective of this year’s events was to raise awareness on how the many forms of violence against women and girls limit the choices girls are able to make every day, from attending school
to participating in their community. Events then encouraged participants to come together to find ways to help create an enabling environment for girls and women to lead a life free from violence. Events included a rally, discussions, cultural programs, and competitions in art and
debate.
5th Annual National Network
Conventions – Shujan and
Bikoshito Nari Network. An
essential strategy for maintaining engagement in THP networks is
holding annual conventions for volunteers to come together to share and celebrate their experiences from
the past year. Around 800 people attended the Shjuan Convention, held
in December in Dhaka. The convention was attended by many former politicians, academics, media
personnel, and civil society members. Shujan Secretary and THP Country
Director Badiul Majumdar presented two significant achievements made by Shujan in the past two years, including i) the collection and publication of candidate information, ii) increasing dialogue on political reform and
advocacy for strengthened local governance, iii) activities involving youth in democratic processes and debate, and iv)
information and mobilization for active citizens. Participating members discussed proposals for a Citizen
Charter, and renewed commitments to work toward good governance for a
peaceful and harmonious society. The Bikoshito Nari Network
(Unleashed Women’s Network,
BNN). The Unleashed Women’s
Network celebrated its fifth national convention in November in Dhaka, with over 1,300 women leaders in
attendance. The women came from throughout Bangladesh to celebrate
their successes, share their experiences with one another, set priorities for the future, and develop plans for leveraging their work together at the national policy level. The State Minister of the
Woman leader and BNN Secretary Era Hoque from Rangpur, shares her successes at the 5th National Bikoshito Nari Network Convention
Convention
Global President/CEO Åsa Skogström Feldt and Country Director Badiul Majumdar speak at the Bikoshito Nari Network Convention
Bangladesh Report to the Global Board for 2014 Q3-Q4 (May 2015) Page 3 of 8
Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Meher Afroj Chumki, attended, in addition to special guests in town with a THP-Sweden investor trip. Individual women leaders took turns sharing
their achievements in their communities, including child marriages halted and awareness raising campaigns on nutrition and women’s rights.
Union Parishad capacity building in 5-Year Plan Books. Under the Local Government Act of 2009, Union Parishads (UP) have been mandated to perform new functions in their roles as local
councils, and as vital institutions for local governance and local development. One such function is preparing and enacting 5-
Year Plan Books for their unions. The Hunger Project-Bangladesh has
been working with UP bodies to improve the
capacity of elected UP representatives on this new initiative, providing
technical support through planning workshops, in
addition to forming a sub-committee to guide the process. The sub-
committee, Plan
Coordination Committee (PCC), will work to make the process transparent and inclusive, hosting meetings with civil society, Standing Committees,
and other government entities. The limited capacity of UP members to plan and fulfill their duties remains a challenge, but through planning workshops and skills trainings, THP-
Bangladesh is working to support effective and engaged leaders who support the principle of decentralization.
Active Citizens youth leadership trainings and youth-led campaigns. The Hunger Project-Bangladesh’s partnership with the British Council has resulted in numerous trainings of Youth
Ending Hunger volunteers as transformative leaders and Active Citizens. The Active Citizens training is specialized with an emphasis on identifying social challenges and finding solutions, in addition to developing organizational and leadership capacities for campaigns and social action
projects in their communities. They learn to plan social action projects, work on their communication, and are trained as leaders. Resulting youth-led campaigns in the latter half of
2014 have included campaigns for safe drinking water, sanitation, nutrition and hygiene, immunization, and elimination of social ills such as child marriage and dowry. There was also a coordinated effort in November and December among youth leaders in partnership with Acid
Survivors’ Foundation to raise awareness of the violence against girls through acid attacks.
Active Citizen Youth Leadership Training graduates in Barisal proudly display
their certificates and Social Action Plans following their training in November 2014
Bangladesh Report to the Global Board for 2014 Q3-Q4 (May 2015) Page 4 of 8
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Participation of women. THP-Bangladesh has observed that fully engaging women in trainings
and meetings remains a challenge due to the social barriers that exist in preventing women’s participation. Family pressures, responsibilities at home, and dominant perceptions of the role of
women in society often restrict women’s ability to make changes to their routines. As a demonstration of THP-Bangladesh’s commitment to gender equality, they began hosting Animator trainings at the union level, rather than at the upazila or district level to facilitate easier
and higher participation of women. Furthermore, they have adapted materials to suit illiterate women with lower education levels by including more photos and images rather than words.
This has enabled more women to become engaged and participate more readily in trainings and helps them to retain what they have learned by having resources to take home with them.
Skills development and capacity. Intensive capacity building of all stakeholders is necessary to
achieve the desired results nationwide, particularly in issues of local governance and citizens rights. For the Union Parishad, many elected representatives have little to no experience in issues
of local governance, particularly as it relates to community development and planning. Coordination is complicated, and it is a challenge to promote transparency and citizen engagement. However, having acknowledged this skills gap, THP-Bangladesh has prioritized
Union Parishad involvement and trainings in 5-Year Plan Books and other systematic processes, improving their ability to identify key priorities and carry out plans.
Resistance from the government. With the objective of making governments more responsive and accountable, THP-Bangladesh continues to experience some resistance from Union Parishads who are not used to the level of transparency and active involvement of their Unions in
development projects. Furthermore, demands for amending certain public policies such as the Early Marriage Act of 1929 have not encited any change, as government officials are proving to be reticent to make changes to the Act.
Ownership and partnership at local government. A challenge in community development work is the risk of community partners’ not taking ownership of their visions for their own
community. THP-Bangladesh constantly works to ensure sustainability at the community level, and has seen greater ownership by community members and Union Parishad representatives through the relationships built by working together in Ward Action Teams, as they plan and
share together. Challenges and solutions are identified by citizens themselves, and solved together. Furthermore, there is increased understanding of rights as citizens, and as a result,
increased patriotism.
Volunteer retention and motivation. THP-Bangladesh’s volunteers are extremely committed to their work, but it is a challenge to plan for their involvement without an explicit commitment.
Volunteers and animators have many obligations beyond their time with THP-Bangladesh, and as most other NGOs offer stipends or per diems for the work their volunteers commit, it is
becoming challenging to retain motivated volunteers. It therefore makes long-term planning at the Union level difficult, as there is concern that volunteers will not be available. Furthermore, due to social constraints, as mentioned earlier, it is difficult to ensure women’s participation.
Bangladesh Report to the Global Board for 2014 Q3-Q4 (May 2015) Page 5 of 8
Program Reach Completed Activities per Program, 2014 Q3-Q4
Number of Girls/Women (in Q3-Q4 2014) who participated in activities* related to:
Community Reported Outcomes** (Q3-Q4 2014)
15
765
5029
539
85
155
192
33Advocacy and Alliances for Policy Reform
Community Mobilization
Food Security and Livelihoods
Literacy and Education
Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition
Strengthening Local Government
Water Environment and Sanitation
Women Empowerment
Youth Engagement in Social Action
905
1032
1311
446
1078
2136
1260
1562
649
Birth registration
Caring for Pregnant Mother
Halting Early Marriage
Marriage registration
Preventing Domestic Violence
Dowry Free Marriage
Immunizations during pregnancy
Nutrition awareness
Safe delivery awareness
2959
295
276
73
Birth Registrations
Dowry-Free Marriages
Halting Child Marriages
Marriage Registration
Birth and Marriage
802
305
439
Adult Literacy Centers
Dropouts Re-enrolled
Girls Enrolled
Education
971
1083
127
Income GeneratingActivities
Self-Help Groups
Skills Training
Women Empowerment
7 Regions
171 Unions
3,539 Villages
9,576 Female Animators
4,536,953 Individuals
** Numbers only reflect girl/women participants and exclude boy/men participants * Activities include campaigns and courtyard meetings
Bangladesh by the Numbers
Bangladesh Report to the Global Board for 2014 Q3-Q4 (May 2015) Page 6 of 8
Shamima Jahan speaking to women in her remote community of Alowa
Partner Story
Shamima Jahan, Animator, Woman Leader
Alowa Union, Mymensingh Region
Shamima Jahan lives in the remote union of Alowa, in the Mymensingh region.
Before getting involved with The Hunger Project, she
considered herself just an ordinary housewife, but is now considered a
transformed community worker.
According to Shamima, she never thought that she would
leave her house and do something for other women
in her community. But following her training with The Hunger Project, this has
become possible.
Shamima learned of The Hunger Project from a neighbor who invited her to join the women’s leadership development training. Through this training, she learned about the reality in which many women lead their lives throughout Bangladesh. She was shocked to hear how women were
treated throughout her country, and committed herself to do something to improve her community.
After returning from the training she realized that she was alone, and that she must be organized to fight against the existing patriarchal society. To start, Shamima arranged a self-help group
consisting of 34 community people (32 men and 2 women). She motivated the organization by insisting that positive change would not be possible without collective initiatives. They jointly
analyzed problems within their community and set two goals: (1) to achieve self-reliance, and (2) zero tolerance for child marriage in their community.
Additionally, the organization turned into a cooperative through collecting regular savings of the members. Over a couple month period in late 2014, the cooperative jointly saved 60,000 Taka
($770), and Shamima has continued in her goals of raising awareness among community women about the consequences of child marriage.
In 2014, through the leadership of Shamima, three more self-help groups have been created, a total of five child marriages halted, 36 court yard meetings facilitated, and four community-
based campaigns organized. Shamima’s community has even declared their village a child marriage free area.
Bangladesh Report to the Global Board for 2014 Q3-Q4 (May 2015) Page 7 of 8
Country Director Badiul Alam Majumdar distributes
winner’s certificate on National Girl Child Day alongside the Country Director of CARE
Partnerships, Advocacy and Events
During this period, THP-Bangladesh has established or maintained alliances with the following
organizations:
ASF
Acid Survivors Foundation and THP-Bangladesh promote positive, healthy and respectful relationships between men and
women, and boys and girls to address gender-based violence (December 2013 – July 2016).
BRAC The Hunger Project-Bangladesh and BRAC
initiated a two-year (February 2014 –
December 2015) joint project in 61 unions. The
objective of the partnership is to strengthen Union Parishads for transparent, accountable
and inclusive governance at the local level in order to accelerate the achievement of the MDGs.
British Council
The Hunger Project has partnered with the British Council to deliver the Active Citizen Program (AC) since September 2009. A key theme of this program is “locally engaged, globally
connected” and is dedicated to working with young people to take part in community work on different issues-based activities. This partnership also supports projects such as the adult literacy center, sanitation and safe drinking water workshops.
Halting Child Marriage
THP-Bangladesh is working on a project with the objective to reduce child marriage in the intervention areas of THP-Bangladesh since July 2014. The project covers 104 unions, through an investment from the Dutch Ministry for Foreign Affairs through July 2015.
UNDEF
In collaboration with BRAC, this project will build on recent legal reforms to demonstrate that improving governance at the UP level – by building the capacity of the UP and uniting it with an active, mobilized citizenry, particularly through implementation of the village assembly (Ward
Shava) – can accelerate progress for social and economic development. The project will work to
promote the results throughout the country in partnership with local and national media.
ITVS
US-based Independent Television Service (ITVS) – National Girl Child Advocacy Forum Partnership to Combat Child Marriage is a joint campaign, led by local youth volunteers, to recognize those who participate by awarding the Best Schools for Girls and the Best
Communities for Girls. The selection process is based on the points awarded by girls and boys for facilities provided, scoring the suitability of the school for girls. Through this assessment, a
“Best School” is awarded and what is needed to improve the schools is determined.
Bangladesh Report to the Global Board for 2014 Q3-Q4 (May 2015) Page 8 of 8
Future Plans
Community Mobilization
Further replication of the MDG Union strategy throughout planned Unions for 2015,
including new unions through a new project called Political Participation of Women for Equal Rights, from the Dutch Human Rights Fund through 2017
Mobilize community people through Animator trainings in existing and new unions
Host mass action campaigns and mobilizations
Hold community planning sessions and a review meeting with volunteers and Ward Action Team members to ensure that committees and teams are properly functioning
Women’s Empowerment
Conduct monthly follow-up trainings at the union level of women leaders
Celebrate International Women’s Day
Community Development for MDG-focused Unions
Hold courtyard meetings on Essential Nutrition Actions and Maternal and Child Health
and Nutrition
Launch a campaign on preventing child marriage across MDG Unions
Host skills development trainings in income-generating activities
Strengthening Local Government
Develop Five-Year Plan Books with all Unions, and facilitate their publication in at least
six unions
Operationalize the MDG Union strategy in partnership with BRAC
Hold ward shava for grassroots involvement in local democracy
Increase community participation in decision making at the ward level
Participatory Action Research (PAR) & Livelihoods
Hold PAR refresher courses for improving knowledge, the capacity to identify problems and solutions, and ensure that the cooperatives are properly functioning
Youth Engagement in Social Action
Conduct follow-up meetings for increasing awareness among youth on different issues
Advocacy and Alliances
Continue to implement campaign on best school for girls to increase community awareness on managing schools with attention to the girl child, such as through separate
toilet facilities for girl children