SASF 2011 Seminar: Effective Strategy to Combat Gender Based Violence (GBV) in South Asia

Seminar by ASF and Manusher Jonno Foundation. Image courtesy ASF

Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) and Manusher Jonno Foundation organized a seminar on “Effective Strategy to combat Gender Based Violence – South Asian Perspective” on November 21st as part of the South Asia Social Forum events. The seminar, held in the Center for Advanced Research For Humanities at the Lecture Theatre Building of Dhaka University, gathered experience from the panelists and urged human rights activists to exchange ideas and best practices in combating the worldwide problems of violence against women.

The panelists for the seminar included: Mr M.B Akhter- Program Manager, Oxfam GB; Ms. Naheed Ahmed- National Program Manager, UN Women; Ms. Mahal Aminuzzaman, Acting Head of Section, Human Rights and Good Governance, DANIDA; Ms. Marriane Berner, International Program Manager, Joint Program to address VAW, UNFPA; and Dr. Abul Hossain, Director of Multisectoral Program, Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs. The session was chaired by Ms. Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation.

Each of the panelists gave a brief presentation on strategies implemented by their organizations to combat gender based violence in Bangladesh, the challenges faced, and the lessons learnt. The presentations were followed by a discussion where the issue of greater coordination between NGOs, civil society and government was stressed. (source: Press Release)

SASF 2011 Seminar: Climate change and urbanization – Perspective Bagladesh

On 20th of November, 2011 Participatory Development Action Program (PDAP) and Shelter for the Poor have organized a seminar at the Social Science department in Dhaka University. The seminar was chaired by Mr. Farid, Director of Urban Development Directorate, Housing and Public works department, Government of Bangladesh while the Deputy Director of Habitat for Humanity in Bangladesh, Mr Mortin Mukul Roy, Director of ADAB Mr. Aminul Islam, Mr. Albeeroonee, Ed of Shelter for the Poor, Ms Maksuda, Grassroots leader of PDP and Ms. Rebeka Sanyat, Executive Director of Coalition for the Poor (CUP) were present as speaker of the seminar.

Seminar on Climate change and urbanization

The program was moderated by Ms. Quazi Baby, Executive Director of PDAP. During her speech she told that, “This is the high time to aware people on disaster, because Bangladesh is in very risk condition for disaster. She also mentioned, this coutry is already experiencing the adverse impacts- hotter summers, irregular monsoon, untimely rainfall, heavy rainfall over short period causing water logging etc. Aside with the changes in weather pattern, Bangladesh is facing increased frequency, and intensity of natural disasters like cyclone and floods. Salinity intrusion along the coast leading to scarcity of potable water and redundancy of prevailing crop practices becoming a common phenomenon; TNA (Technology Need Assessment) should address all the impacts and sufferings that people are facing in different regions.”

Recommendations from the Seminar includes suggestions that the government should a number of measures including development of women education, remove obstacles from ensuring safe and secured shelter and reduce bureaucracies. Regarding legal service, poor people are most vulnerable and do not get the service. Women abuse, land reform, land ownership, social insecurity – in all sector enforcement of law is very much needed.

At the end, The Chairperson of the seminar Engineer Mr. said, to increase women empowerment, to raise awareness, to improve legal service, it is necessary to make women’s hand stronger and powerful. Side by side men should come forward to implement women’s initiative. He also mentioned that we know there is no sufficient toilet in the poor community and due to open drainage, sometimes children fall down into the drain. No proper education facility, no job opportunity and no safe shelter in the poor community. Although Government has taken some initiatives for the poor inhabitants, but due to lack of proper planning, it is not implementing yet. (press release)