Duration: January 2018 – June 2022
Location: Jamalpur, Moulvibazar, Patuakhali, Rangamati and Sirajganj District
Financial Partner: Global Affairs Canada through United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Target Beneficiaries: 137,500 students of 250 Secondary Schools and Madrasas of five districts
Project Outcome and Outputs: More adolescent of 10-19 years, boys and girls in selected districts are behaving in a gender equitable way and making use of adolescent sexual, reproductive health information and services. This outcome will be achieved through following outputs:
- Increase in the number of adolescents in gender equitable attitudes
- Increase in knowledge among adolescents regarding gender-based violence and sexual, reproductive health and rights and access to related services
- Increase in capacity of relevant ministries for programme management for gender equality and adolescent sexual, reproductive health and rights
Project Briefing: Gender Based Violence (GBV), gender inequitable social norms and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are closely related. Boys, who grow up witnessing or experiencing violence by men against women, without this being challenged as unacceptable, learn that violence is an acceptable way of dealing with problems in relationships. Acts of GBV often go unrecognized as well as unquestioned male dominance and the notion of sexual entitlement by men over women is important risk factors for GBV in Bangladesh. Together with SRHR is a domain of social taboo in Bangladesh, especially for adolescents and young people. Sexuality, procreation, and rights are not talked about at home or in school or only in terms of risks mainly affecting girls. As 33% married girls in Bangladesh experience pregnancy before the age of 19 the chances of complications during delivery are considerableand maternal mortality remains very high. After successful completion of the Generation Breakthrough Project: Phase-I, CWFD is implementing Phase-2.
The project focuses on adolescent and young boys and girls through education, campaigns, training, and services. It also focuses on new ways of grooming boys into non-violent men, creating new positive norms, values, and peer pressure through gender-equitable masculinities and boys and girls acquiring relationship skills and learning how to develop and maintain healthy relationships that are gender just and violence free. The project therefore creates a conducive environment for and with adolescents and young people to: respond to unmet needs for comprehensive A-SRHR and GBV prevention information; respond to unmet need for comprehensive A-SRHR services; capacitate adolescents and young people with gender equitable attitudes, respect for diversity and relationship.
Alapon Helpline (under Generation Breakthrough Project): “Alapon” is a vital part of Generation Breakthrough Project. It is a Helpline in Bangladesh which allows people to get authentic information and counseling services on SRHR, GBV, Mental Health (MH) and COVID-19 related issues as well as can avail related referrals services. Initially, Alapon started with the name “Dosh Unisher Mor” in 2015 and worked only for adolescent girls and boys. Later, based on the need of youth “Dosh Unisher Mor” was replaced by the name “Alapon” in 2020 so that people of different ages can have information from the Helpline and the crisis of youth can be mitigated. The Helpline works from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and is open for all seven days in a week except the Government or public holiday.
At present, “Alapon” Helpline has two wings- Alapan National (regular call charge) and Alapan Rohingya (toll free). The activity uses various technologies / software e.g., Client Relationship Management, Computer Telephony Integration, SIP Phone software like ZOIPER. Besides, Facebook and Radio live sessions are conducted regularly by the Helpline counselors. One Facebook live session is led by the National Alapon counselors on 1st Saturday of the month and Radio phono live session is conducted by the Rohingya Alapon counselors every Thursday. Facebook Live Partners are-UNFPA; Global Affairs of Canada; Kishor Batayon Konnect; a2i; Cabinet Division; ICT Division and UNDP. Radio Live Partners are-UNFPA and Radio Naf. Ongoing quiz competitions regarding live sessions have been organized on a regular basis for adolescents and youth as well.
To know more about Generation Breakthrough Project- Phase 1, please click on this link: Previous Work
