Bangladesh Mahila Parishad - Norad

Awareness had been raised regarding women’s rights to vote independently of themen in the family, girls’ right to education, and resisting sexual harassment. Girls hadbecome more self-confident. The visibility of the issue of VAW had increased in thecommunity, whereas earlier nobody had talked about VAW. As a result there hadbeen an increase in cases reported. They also felt that there was broad acceptance ofthe ‘one third’ demand for direct representation to Parliament. VAW had becomerecognized as a crime by many, and their mediation efforts had improved familyrelations. Moreover, women’s mobility and security had increased.They identified the following organisational changes as a result of the increase inNorwegian funding:1) The number of grass roots branches had increased from 25 to 332) Their membership had increased from 6000 to 9000 members3) The office had become more regularized and they had been able to mobilizelegal aid activities on a more regular basis4) They had been able to expand their activities to new geographical areas5) The sub-committee had mobilized a training secretary (2010)6) They had mobilized new organizers who had become involved in BMPactivities7) Their number of cases that had been filed had increased8) They had become better at including men and youth in their work9) Increased legitimacy of the organization in the communityThe office had a paid office secretary since 2006 and had also received an extraallocation from the head office of Tk. 10000 due to its successful performance. Theincrease in funding had allowed them to refer more cases to their panel lawyers.Despite their achievements, they identified a number of challenges:1) Financial constraints. They needed more funds especially for transport toattend meetings, and they needed more funding for training.2) They also found it hard to recruit educated volunteers, while it was relativelyeasy to recruit less educated volunteers. Whereas educated people did not seethe need to join to further their own interests, people with less educationdisplayed a keener interest in joining to learn about their rights and tobecome empowered.273.6 Outcomes BelaboActivities that had been carried out included court yard meetings for awarenessraising and training. Important issues for resistance in the community were dowry,child marriages, and abandonment of the first wife as a result of the husbandmarrying a second wife. The branch focused consistently on motivation and trainingand had recruited 200 new members in 2012. In 2012, they received training fromhead office for young members, ToT for older as well as newer members, and also