Alokito Manush (Enlightened Human) Project

Project duration: 2004-2016

Financial Partner: Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF)

Background: Women throughout the world are subject to violence, both physical and mental. It varies from country to country, society to society, but everywhere in the world violence against women exist at some level. This is more so in developing countries where status of woman is low. Less educational opportunity, less involvement in economic activities, social stigma, cultural and traditional barrier, religious imposition treats women as lesser human being. This powerlessness expose women to violence both outside home and at home. Domestic violence is common phenomenon of life and not considered as violence, not even by the women themselves. They consider it as part of life and this is what they deserve, but this has significant impact on women’s life and health and society has to pay a heavy cost for this. In Bangladesh there are laws for protecting women, but most of the women who live in the community are not aware of it.

While CWFD working with the women and community realized that this situation can be changed by providing information and make people aware of the consequences of this kind of violence.

Project Goal: To make community aware of gender discrimination and reduce the incident of Domestic Violence against Women and its consequences.

Project Area: Gazipur, Tangail, Dhamurhat Upajila of Noagaon District, Mymensing

Target People: Women, Men, Youth, Disable, Ethnic/ Minority Group.

Major Activities of the project:

  • Group Meeting (Community Group, Youth group, Watch group, Pressure group, GO/NGO forum.

  • Counseling

  • Legal Support

  • Medical support.

  • Skill Training for victim of violence to make them economically independent.

  • School Program (School session, School Managing Community Meeting etc.)

  • Cultural Activities (Street drama, Song, folk song etc.)

Model Village: The purpose of the Model Village is to establish a Role-Model for other villages. The concept of Model Village is to create a violence free village and to ensure the rights of women and girls.

Objective of Model village:

  1. To ensure women and girls human rights

  2. To sensitize local communities to take action (prevent, protects) on violence against women and girls.

  3. To ensure safety and security of women and girls at family and the society.

Activities of Model village:

  1. Regular door to door visit to collect basic information.

  2. Awareness session among the community people on stopping early marriage, dowry and violence against women and girls.

  3. Meeting with advisory committee, couple, watch leaders, survivors , entrepreneurs in regular basis for sharing the latest situation of the village

  4. Organize IGA related training session on economic emancipation for job creation.

  5. Use resource and recreation center for the women and girls so that they can read books, newspaper, play indoor games, and exchange their views to each other’s.

  6. Organize mass awareness program like MELA, Rally, cultural activities among the community people.

Planning for sustainability of the model village: The local committees will be sensitized and strengthen against the violence against women (VAW), so that in case of any violation of rights, they take the responsibility and can take the proper legal action.