The Gender and Social Justice (GSJ) programme focuses on mobilising and developing community activism to protect rights of the community people and also on raising awareness of gender and social justice issues. Established in 1996, the programme aims to expand and strengthen ASK’s activities at the grassroots levels. The programme involves both men and women to establish gender justice in the society.
WORKING AREAS
GSJP works through partnership in the working areas.
At present, the programme is being implemented in five upazillas of five districts with logistic support from local partner non-government organisations (PNGOs). The districts are- Naogaon, Gaibandha, Jhenaidha, Kushtia, Kishoreganj.
WORK FOCUS
Gender and Social Justice, Human Rights, Women Rights, CEDAW, Social Safety Net Mechanism, UP Standing committee, Right to Information, Government’s Legal Aid Fund, etc.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES
- The Unit facilitates the formation of Community Based Organisations (CBO) and supports them with training, coordination of meetings and referrals, through the Manobadhikar Sangrakkhan Parishads (Community Based Human Rights Protection Groups) and Manobadhikar Nari Samaj (Community Based Human Rights Women’s Groups), which monitor the local human rights situation and assist the victims of HRVs to seek redress. MNS also monitors and participates in the local salish process (traditional dispute resolution) in order to ensure compliance with legal standards, and also to encourage women’s involvement.
- Sets up and support networks of district level lawyers comprising Manobadhikar Ainjibi Parishads (Human Rights Lawyers Forum), who provide free legal aid and services to the disenfranchised.
- Provides training for the staff of Partner NGOs (training on Human Rights & Rights Based Approach, Gender Relations Analysis, Advocacy, Good Governance and Organisational Development); for CBOs (training on legal and human rights, and gender relations analysis, leadership and community activism) and for Lawyer’s Groups (training on gender relations analysis, human rights protection mechanisms and the role of lawyers to protect and promote human rights);
- Organises workshops and study circles on different legal and human rights issues, and existing national and international protection mechanisms for CBOs and lawyers’ groups, and also for the Government Legal Aid Committee, its Panel lawyers and legal aid applicants;
- Assists CBOs and Lawyers’ groups to celebrate day observation, organise day observation in the community based level; and
- Assists CBOs and Lawyers’ groups to organise meetings and other events.
Partner Organisations (PNGOs) | |
1. Mukti Nari- O-Shishu unnayan Sangstha | Kushtia |
2. Welfare Efforts (WE) | Jhenaidah |
3. Gana Unnayan Kendra (GUK) | Gaibandha |
4. Peoples Oriented Program and Implementation (POPI) | Kishoregonj |
5. Ancholic Polli Unnayan Sangstha (APUS) | Naogaon |
Relevant Links from old website:
1. Discussion on using RTI, 19 June 2010- Full report available at: http://www.askbd.org/web/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Right_to_Information.pdf
2. Study Circle on National Human Rights Commission and PIL, 28 August 2010 – Full report available at: http://www.askbd.org/web/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/STUDY_CIRCLE-MYMENSING.pdf
3. Launch of Human Rights Reports in 10 Districts, Jan-Feb 2013 – Full report available at: http://www.askbd.org/web/?p=2326