ASK’s Legal Aid Services –March 2026

During the period, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) handled 181 registrations, including 151 females and 30 males, with several survivors from marginalised groups and 1 person with a disability. Of these cases, 143 were addressed through the Mediation Unit and 38 through the Litigation Unit. The Unit registered 18 new survivors, conducted 7 mediation sessions, followed up with 6 survivors and provided legal advice to 39 individuals. Thirteen survivors were referred to other organisations. Helpline services were extended to 121 survivors; rapid response support was provided in 20 cases; counselling services were offered to 1 person and couple therapy was provided to 1 couple. A total of BDT 1,48,480 was recovered as dower and maintenance (including for children) through mediation. ASK is also providing legal aid services across six districts at the grassroots level. In the field, a total of 22 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence received necessary support services, including medical, psychosocial and legal assistance. Among them, 20 were female and 2 were male. ASK’s co-implementing partners supported survivors as follows: OWDEB (8) in Chattogram, ACD (5) in Rajshahi, MPS (3) in Tangail, AVASH (3) in Barisal, SoDESH (2) in Satkhira and ASED (1) in Habiganj. A total of 19 individuals received assessments and legal advice. Two new legal cases were initiated by HRLF, 4 clients were referred to appropriate services, 3 emergency responses were delivered and 1 mediation session was conducted in the project working areas. These activities were implemented under the EngageNow project, part of the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) programme, with support from the Embassy of Switzerland, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the European Union (EU).