Where We Work Who We Are The PHR program works in all 102 unions of National Partners: Sadar, Monirampur, Shariakandi, Shibgonj, Sonatala, Chirirbandar, Balaganj, and Patiya upazillas, under the districts of Barguna, , , , and Protecting Human Rights (PHR) . Program

Local Partners:

Supported By:

For more information:

Plan International House CWN (B) 14, Road 35 Gulshan-2, -1212 Tel+880-2-9860167, 8817589 PHR Program District Offices: PHR website: www.enddomesticviolencebd.org 1. House # 9 (2nd Floor), Road 2, Block H, Halishahar Facebook: www.facebook.com/protectinghumanrights Housing Society, Chittagong Twitter: www.twitter.com/tweetforights PHR is an initiative of Plan International in partnership E-mail: [email protected] 2. Goaldeghi, Khansama Road, Khansama, Dinajpur with the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Plan International website: www.plan-international.org 3. 1447 Dr. S.K. Lane, Katnar Para, Bogra Association (BNWLA) and 11 local NGOs in 102 unions of 4. House # 44, Road 2, Block-E, Shahjalal Uposhahar, 8 upazilas under 6 districts. Supported by the United Sylhet Disclaimer: This brochure is made possible by the support of the States Agency for International Development (USAID), we 5. PTI Road, Sostitola Para, Jessore American people through the United States Agency for International work to reduce the high prevalence of child marriage and 6. Master Villa, South Monoshatoli, Lakurtola (east side development (USAID). The contents do not necessarily reflect the of sluice gate), Barguna views of USAID or the United States Government. violence against women in Bangladesh. Why Our Work Matters How We Work

Because… We work in collaboration with partners and diverse stakeholders and use the following strategies, among others: • Bangladesh has the 4th highest percentage of child marriage in the world (UNICEF 2014) • Maintain Social Protection Groups (SPGs) in 102 communities to raise awareness, reduce child marriage, • Nearly 9 out of 10 wives suffer from domestic violence and protect and assist survivors of domestic violence. (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics 2011) • Social Workers are on the frontline in each community, to • Almost 90% of all women aged 10-18 face sexual provide psychosocial counseling and paralegal counseling harassment in public (BNWLA 2011) to survivors as well as make referrals to other service providers. The alarming rate of child marriage in Bangladesh keeps • Legal Counselors handle court cases and help resolve children away from school and makes them vulnerable to cases using ADR. PHR modules have been incorporated domestic violence. Gender-based violence encompass a What We Do into the curriculum of the Judicial Administration Training wide range of human rights violations, including physical Institute (JATI). and psychological abuse, sexual harassment, rape, and 1. Advocacy: Support the adoption and implementation of • School and Youth Projects raise awareness at an early many harmful traditional practices, such as dowry. laws and policies that prevent child marriage (CM), age to prevent child marriage and gender-based violence. In this context, Plan International Bangladesh and its domestic violence (DV), sexual harassment, and Sexual Harassment Prevention and Complaint partners are implementing the Protecting Human Rights associated human rights abuses against women and Committees have been set up and trained in every school children. and many madrassa in working areas. (PHR) Program to reduce the high prevalence of child marriage, domestic violence, sexual harassment and other 2. Capacity Building: Strengthen the capacity of key actors • Training diverse stakeholders such as marriage registrars, related human rights violations. in civil society and government to provide services and to local government officials, religious leaders, teachers, investigate, monitor and combat child marriage and journalists, police, judges, civil society activists, social PHR is one of the many assistance projects in Bangladesh workers and lawyers, to enable them to stop child violence against women. supported by the United States Agency for International marriage and address violence against women. Engaging Development. USAID’s Country Development Cooperation 3. Access to Justice: Provide legal services and increase men and boys is a priority of PHR. willingness of DV survivors to access justice through Strategy considers gender to be a cross-cutting priority that • Raise awareness and inspire social change through affects achievement of all development objectives. informal and formal justice mechanisms including frequent courtyard meetings, ludu games, community Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). radio, theater for development, a human rights champions program, and community events and materials. Maintain a 4. Survivor Services: Provide immediate support website and disseminate information about the program - psychosocial, legal, medical, and shelter - for survivors and relevant issues through social media. of domestic violence and network with local non-government organizations to provide livelihood and • Maintain Human Rights Forums at local and national skill training. levels to conduct advocacy, share evidence, inform government services, and hold policy dialogues. 5. Mass Awareness & Educational Campaigns: Expand public awareness through targeted communications and • Collaborate with government - the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MOWCA) and other ministries and events at local and national levels and implement agencies - to achieve a strong and effective Child educational campaigns through a schools project and Marriage Restraint Act, Domestic Violence (Protection and training of youth groups to protect human rights and stop Prevention) Act, a new Sexual Harassment Prevention early marriage. Law, and related policies and action plans.