ASK aims to create an awareness of legal and human rights as a step
towards justice. Strategies have been identified to increase people's
awareness to rights related issues. In order to create sustainable
and broad band social changes it is very important to reach out
to the rural areas. For this purpose ASK initiated its Gender and
Social Justice programme in 1996. The Gender and Social
Justice unit (GSJ) works in close collaboration with the
Popular Theatre unit (PT) and Training
unit (TU). The three units work with six partner NGOs in
six thanas.
ASK
has a training unit comprising skilled trainers, mostly lawyers.
After assessing the needs of the organization or group to be trained,
the unit plans the training. Modules have been prepared for courses
on family laws, constitutional rights and human rights. These
modules are reviewed and modified, and refresher courses conducted
after six months. Refresher courses become a means for follow-up
and review of training impact. ASK uses training methodologies
to create public awareness of rights, sensitize local elected
representatives, government officials and community leaders towards
a just system for dispute resolution and to sensitise collective
groups, i.e. community based organizations about their rights.
The Training unit provides necessary training for the local theatre
activists of the PT unit, participants of the Gender and Social
Justice Program, and to other organizations upon request.
Training
Unit
Knowledge catalyzes social mobilization. What empowers people
is sensitisation to a Rights Approach. The trainees were seen
to be stimulated by the courses, and to intervene when they witnessed
a violation of rights. The courses offered by the Unit provide
knowledge and also help to conscientize. The Unit has prepared
several modules on topics listed below.
Family
Laws (Muslim, Hindu and Christian):
Family laws or personal laws are derived from religious precepts.
The 3-day course outline contains discussions and other relevant
exercises on family laws related to marriage, divorce, dower,
marriage registration, maintenance, polygamy, guardianship and
custody of children. Special attention is given to the concept
and methodology for successful application of family law in mediating
marital disputes.
Women’s
Rights and Violence against Women:
In this course, discussion revolves around gender relations and
women’s rights under CEDAW and the Constitution. It critiques
women’s discriminatory position in personal laws, and the
contradictions between legal and constitutional rights. Case studies
of violence and state responses to combat violence were analyzed
in the discussions.
Human
Rights and Constitutional Rights:
Main purpose of this course was to sensitize trainees to the principles
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and fundamental
rights guaranteed in the Constitution. International conventions
e.g. convention against torture, convention on the rights of the
child, convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination
against women etc. which protect rights to equality, freedom from
violence are discussed in detail.
Para-Legal
Training:
A three-day training programme is organized for Manabadhikar Songrokhon
Parishad (MSP), Manabadhikar Nattya Parishad (MNP) and Manabadhikar
Nari Samaj (MNS) members on various issues. Selected trainees
are then nominated for participation in a six day training on
para-legal matters which include orientation to family laws (Muslim,
Hindu, Christian), human rights, constitutional rights, gender
equity, mediation, women’s rights, legal aid and violence,
violence against women, formal and informal systems of justice,
etc.
Package
Course on Gender Equity, Family laws and Mediation:
This course analyses links between the three issues through discussion.
It is hoped that the knowledge gained by theatre activists will
be used to perform issue-based theatre in the unions and villages.
As there are fewer female members than male members in MSP and
MNP, the bulk of participants in these courses are men.
Other
training courses by Training Unit:
On
Law:
3 day course on Dowry Prohibition Act - 1980: Some relevant sections
of the Penal Code - 1960.
3 day course on Family Court: Family Court Ordinance - 1985.
3 day Training on Skill Building on Legal Issues and Mediation
3 day Training on Land Law
3 day Training on Women's Land Rights
3 day Training on Village Court
3 day Training on Capacity Building of Union Parishad specially
for women UP members
On
Mediation:
Training on Mediation Skill-3 days Course
TOT on Mediation Skill-6 days Course
On
Gender:
3 day course on Conceptual Clarity on Gender
6 day course on TOT on Gender
On Advocacy:
3 day course on Training on Advocacy Skill
Special
Courses:
3 day course on Training on Child Rights (CRC, Laws relating to
Children)
6 day course on Basic Course on Legal Aid for BRAC staff
3 day course on Training on HR, Legal Issues and Role of a Union
Parishad for UP Chairman and members
3 day course on Training on Gender and Advocacy for Women UP members
Participants
in Training Courses
The Training Unit has offered its courses to:
Clients who attend ASK’s legal clinics in Dhaka.
BRAC staff working with the BRAC-ASK Outreach Legal Aid Program.
Participants in Gender and Social Justice programmes including
community leaders, MSP and MNS.
Local volunteers who participate in Popular Theatre Unit programmes
including MNP.
Members of relevant organizations who request specific training
courses.
Moreover
ASK Training Unit can design and conduct any course on Law, Mediation,
Gender and Advocacy issues if required. Similarly, Popular Theatre
Unit can design and conduct courses on Theatre. These are available
on a fees-for-service basis.
Popular
Theatre Unit
Popular Theatre unit trains local theatre activists to perform
issue-based drama so as to sensitize the local population about
law and to orient them to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Unit hopes to change people’s perceptions on women’s
rights. Theatre is a dynamic method to convey information to a
wider audience, particularly non-literates. Popular Theatre unit
trains and mobilizes local theatre personnel to perform plays
on social and political problems and to provoke discussions on
human rights. A theatre team member facilitates analyses by the
audience on cause, effect and possible solution to a social problem.
Formerly known as Union Level Theatre Teams, these have been amalgamated
into Manobadhikar Natya Parishad (MNP). Members of MNP are given
orientation courses on laws, human rights and gender equality.
MNP is responsible for performing issue based dramas in the area
and transmitting their skills to others who are interested in
becoming members of MNP or forming their own MNP. Union MNPs have
federated into a thana level MNP.
Training
of Trainers (TOT) on Popular Theatre:
In order to enhance sustainability and continuity of the program,
it is important to train members of the popular theatre group
who have been involved with the group for at least one-year and
have displayed creativity and some leadership qualities. In each
course 25 persons were trained at a residential training program.
As a result, a group was formed to independently train more theatre
activists in the area. This is a fees-for-service program that
is also offered to outside agencies and organizations.
Workshop
on Issue based Drama Production:
Workshops help the group to identify the nature of conflicts and
analyze the causes of conflict in the family. In doing so, the
theatre workers become well aware of the social, economic and
political power dynamics portrayed in the story and are able to
stage the drama and face questions relating to law and human rights.
Other
training courses by Popular Theatre Unit include:
Foundation Course for Partner NGO Staff
Skill Building Training on Communication and Facilitation for
PNGO Staff
Workshop on Popular Theatre for local club members
Gender
and Social Justice Unit
Gender and Social Justice program unit in collaboration with the
Training and Popular Theatre units works to develop leadership
qualities of six local women-led NGOs in six thanas and to encourage
them to use a rights based agenda, paying special attention to
women’s rights. The unit also helps to build capacities
of Community based Organizations (CBOs) including the local elite,
professionals, women, shalishkars (mediators), MNP, MSP, MNS,
etc. which play the role of local activist human rights organizations.