In Bangladesh, sexual and reproductive health rights generally continue to be denied through the prevalence of patriarchal institutions, social norms, and discriminatory laws and practices. This scenario exists despite broad political commitments to address gender discrimination, with the state signing up to the SDGs and many international human rights treaties (including CEDAW, albeit with reservations), and despite a plethora of laws, policies and programmes that target gender discrimination.
Marriage and heterosexuality are almost absolute norms in Bangladesh, with many experiencing the absence of adequate information, choices and decision-making connected to personal lives, in particular rights within the family and regarding sexuality.
What is the target audience?
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To create platforms for University students and young professionals in the project area to express their views and experiences on their freedom to express, choose and consent to matters related to their own lives, and strengthen their knowledge and understanding and increase their participation in ensuring their rights –
BLAST works with six public universities across all six divisions in Bangladesh to provide these platforms for young people – ‘Safe Space’ groups have been set up in each of these universities with groups of 30-40 students, who meet every two months to participate in orientation sessions (‘Love, Life and Law’ sessions) on human rights, gender and diversity, SRHR and mental health. BLAST also arranged university dialogues with private universities on SRHR issues, and also organises photo competitions and short film competitions on SRHR, equality, diversity and personal liberty and freedoms, for your people all over the country.
