AGNEE: Awareness, Action and Advocacy for Gender- Equal and Safe Spaces for Women and Girls

Project Duration: March 2022 to February 2025
Funded by: European Union
Name of the lead applicant: BRAC
Co-Applicant: Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK)

The overall objective is to contribute to protection and promotion of women and girls’ enjoyment of human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls by promoting sexual harassment (SH) and violence-free public spaces, workplaces and digital platforms. In order to achieve the overall objective, the action will focus on (specific objective) to enhance the capacity and responsiveness of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), duty bearers, state and non-state actors to prevent SH and violence at the public spaces, workplaces and digital platforms.

The action is relevant to the objectives and priorities of the call as it focuses on enhancing the capacity of CSOs and other state and non-state actors to respond effectively to address SH and gender-based violence (GBV) incidents against women in workplaces and public places and in the digital platforms in Gazipur and Rajshahi districts of Bangladesh. The action will especially focus on capacity building of CSO and strengthening linkages with the state and non-state actors to develop an integrated approach for preventing, redressing SH and GBV incidents. Through this approach, the action will contribute to empowering women, girls and young people to use their rights and increase their participation in political, economic, social and cultural life. The action is complementary to EU funded projects like ‘Unity for Dignity’, Global Fund for Women funded ‘Shojag Coalition’ and ILO project ‘Improving working conditions in the Ready-Made Garment Sector Programme in Bangladesh (2017- 2023) without any duplication. The action also contributes to the European Union directives on responsible supply chain management.

Another focus of the action is SH and GBV survivors who often have very little information where to go for support and shelter. They will be supported in this regard through integrated support services. Lastly, the action will work with the media to enhance their engagement in influencing policy decisions regarding enactment and enforcement of the law. 100 journalists (30% women) belonging to 10 media houses (print, electronics and online) will be targeted for orientation.

The action has been informed by consultation with key stakeholders who demonstrated a strong commitment towards protecting women from all forms of violence and gender inequality. Key stakeholders include local-level committees on prevention of violence against women, Bangladesh Employers’ Federation, employee welfare associations, law enforcement agencies, Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Cyber Security and Crime Division under Dhaka Metropolitan Police of Bangladesh Police, Department of Social Services (DSS), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) etc.

The First Expected Output focuses on enhancing the capacity of CSOs on identification, reporting and referral on SH and GBV at the public spaces, workplaces and digital platforms including policy and advocacy. At the end of the proposed action, 14 CSOs’ will be trained and have the capacity to act as a collective force to collaborate with state and non-state actors for awareness creation, enhancing access to legal aid, medical, shelter and psycho-social services and lastly advocacy for improved policy and services for preventing and addressing SH and GBV against women. It is assumed that increasing their capacity will help them to play a leading role in linkage with state and non-state actors in the prevention of SH and GBV.16

The Second Expected Output focuses on information sharing and linkages with legal, shelter, medical and psycho-social counselling service providers through increased awareness creation and strengthened integrated services. It is expected that the 79380 targeted people reached through awareness sessions will have increased knowledge about their rights and responsibilities for seeking redressal against SH and GBV in workplaces, public places and digital space leading to justice seeking behaviour. Target group includes 27,200 women workers in and around workplaces, 800 factory management staff, 100 journalists, 16,000 youths/adolescents (50% boys & youth) aged between 13 to 19 years, 14,280 men and boys in and around workplaces, 20000 public transport users and 1000 transport workers. Communities at large would also be targeted in the two districts through billboards and advertisements. Moreover 400 survivors will gain access to legal aid, psychosocial counselling service and shelter through strengthened support and referral systems.

The Third Expected Output focuses on strengthening SH and GBV redressal mechanisms in public spaces and workplaces. It is expected that at the end of the project, 124 workplaces and public spaces will have strengthened prevention, protection and referral services on SH contributing towards harassment and violence-free public spaces, workplaces and digital platforms. Technical and follow-up support would be given to 40 workplaces (including RMG) to have functioning standard prevention, reporting and referral mechanisms on SH. This will also include orientation of management staff on SH redress policy and formal internal complaint mechanisms. Support would also be provided to 80 educational institutions to have functional protection and referral mechanisms on prevention of SH. This will involve the orientation of School Management Committees (SMCs) and relevant teachers for setting up protection and referral mechanisms. Awareness sessions at educational institutions and available support for filing complaints will increase a sense of safety among female adolescents and also enable male students to act as a promoter of gender equality. Two prominent Transport Sector Associations in two targeted districts would be supported to have action plans and follow up on them to prevent SH and GBV in public transport. Two Government mandated District Road Safety Committees (DRSC) would be supported to have action plans and follow up on these action plans focusing on prevention, awareness raising, capacity development, promotion of national helpline, referral service to law enforcement agencies. Police, educational institutions, CSO’s including transport sector associations are stakeholders of DRSC, and participation of these different stakeholders would ensure safety and security of women in public places including public transport.

The Fourth Expected Output focuses on advocacy initiatives at the local and national levels to influence policies and processes relevant to the proposed action. CSOs engagement with different stakeholders such as government, media and relevant service actors will be strengthened so that they can work together to enact, reform and initiate adequate laws and policies to address SH and GBV contributing to creating a positive environment where women can enjoy their rights and realise their full potential. CSOs would be facilitated to organize policy dialogues with key stakeholders, produce evidence-based position papers, advocate with the government, orient media and carry out social media campaigns in partnership with media and other key stakeholders.

Target Group: 14 CSOs from Rajshahi and Gazipur

Beneficiaries: Community People

Project Implementation Area

• Dhaka
• Rajshahi
• Gazipur