New ‘ASTHA’ project launched to fight off gender-based violence in Bangladesh

The government has formally launched a new project to fight off gender-based violence in Bangladesh with the help of donors.

The five-year ASTHA- Strengthening Access to Multi-Sectoral Public Services for Gender Based Violence Survivors in Bangladesh – project is aimed at increasing access of the vulnerable women and girls, who are at risk or survivor of gender-based violence, to multi-sectoral public services.

The project with the support of the UNFPA and the Netherlands aims to create awareness against harmful gender norms and behaviours, the UN agency said on Tuesday in a statement after the launch.

Some 102 unions of 12 Upazilas in four districts - Jamalpur, Patuakhali, Bogura and Cox’s Bazar - are the primary target of the project at the beginning.

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), the implementer, hosted the national launching event in Dhaka.

Secretary for Women and Child Affairs Nasima Begum, Dutch Ambassador Harry Verweij and UNFPA’s Deputy Country Representative Eiko Narita were present, among others, at the event.

The ASTHA project is a “very timely and expedient” project, said Eiko Narita, referring to the ongoing #MeToo movement across the world in a way to stand up against sexual harassment and assault.

She stressed the importance of partnership and participation of multi-level stakeholders in fighting off the menace.

The Netherlands ambassador identified the silence against abuse as the root cause of gender-based violence.

“Lack of respect for women and girls and gender discrimination are other key causes for gender-based violence,” he said hoping that the ASTHA project would bring changes by involving multi-level stakeholders in the fight against such violence. 

“ASTHA promises to prevent the adversities of gender-based violence and help rehabilitating the survivors of violence”.