Seven out of ten married women in Bangladesh experience violence by their partners.
Women and girls In Bangladesh and globally do not enjoy the same status, power or access to and control over resources as men. Structural barriers at multiple levels prevent women and gender diverse individuals from realising their potential. Creating an equal world is not possible without first dismantling gender-based violence and discrimination.
We work to create an equitable society by mainstreaming gender equality through BRAC’s programmes, departments and enterprises. Our approach aims to transform sociocultural gender norms which prevent women and girls from realising their full potential, through building the capacity of our staff and stakeholders, and advocating for gender justice.
IMPACT
7.2M+ people reached through awareness efforts on gender equality and gender-based violence from 2016-2020
Ensuring the implementation of BRAC’s Gender Policy and Gender Strategy in approximately 3,000 branch offices all over Bangladesh, to build and maintain a gender-responsive infrastructure and gender-equal work culture
By 2025, 20 million programme participants to be benefitted through building the capacity of 50,000 BRAC staff members and 200,000 volunteers on gender equality
Promote gender equality through high-level policy advocacy and support collective gender advocacy as part of 10 national civil society coalitions
The challenge for BRAC is to sustain the gains made in gender equality while also tackling other inequalities; as the lives and work of women in poor households in Bangladesh are shaped not only by patriarchal gender norms but also by class interests, corporate practices and economic policies.
The approach facilitates locally-led problem solving and adaptation to addressing discriminatory gender norms. It starts with problems or issues rather than ready-made solutions, lending itself well into temporary approaches to development that prioritise learning and adaptation.
VIDEOS
WHAT WE DO
Build a gender-equal workplace and culture at BRAC
Establish and enforce policies and mechanisms to ensure equal opportunities and equitable outcomes for women and gender-diverse individuals, and promote increased participation of women in leadership roles
Promote gender equality in households and communities BRAC works in
Conduct discussion and sensitisation in households, community platforms and commuity forums on gender equality, discrimination and prevention of gender-based violence
Advocate for equality and equitable governance at the national level
Influence laws, policies and measures of gender equality, through advocacy, networking and campaigning with key governmental and non-governmental stakeholders
HOW WE DO IT
Gender mainstreaming across BRAC
Mainstream gender perspectives into BRAC’s design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of programmes, departments and enterprises, with a view to promote equality between women and men and combat discrimination
Sensitise organisational system and cultures
Provide gender sensitisation training to staff members; strengthen organisational policies, procedures and systems; facilitate implementation of BRAC’s Gender Policy, Gender Strategy and Sexual Harassment Elimination Policy; promote leadership opportunities for gender-diverse individuals and women; and ensure gender sensitivity in field offices
Engaging men and boys in gender equity
Involve men through dialogue and couples’ counselling on the role of men in parenting, household care work, prevention and protection against gender-based violence
Participation of women in non-traditional livelihood options
Advocate with development programmes and enterprises at BRAC to support women and girls to take up non-traditional professions
Policy advocacy and coalition building
Advocacy with key stakeholders at the national level in collaboration with existing coalitions, such as Girls Not Brides, National Girl Child Advocacy Forum, and the Rape Law Reform Coalition. Through this, we aim to influence systemic and policy changes, and strengthen the public prosecution system in Bangladesh to ensure justice for sexual and gender-based violence
Monitoring and publication
Monitoring and quality assurance of gender mainstreaming initiatives across BRAC
AR NA project
A pilot project in Bangladesh that equips BRAC’s field staff members to digitally report cases of gender-based violence in their working areas through a web app. A team of case managers connect survivors with required services (such as legal aid and social protection) through referral support
