Training on National and International Human Rights Mechanisms on SRHR

1. INTRODUCTION

Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) is organising a training on National and International Human Rights Mechanisms on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) from 11-13 July 2019 at the BIAM Foundation, Dhaka for members of Safe Space Group Advisory Committees, staff lawyers panel and staff lawyers of BLAST. The training will be facilitated by Sanaiyya Faheem Ansari, a Freelance Consultant in Human Rights and Gender Issues.

2. AIMS

• To build the capacity of Safe Space Group Advisory Committee Members and staff and panel lawyers on national and international human rights mechanisms;
• To enhance the knowledge of participants on existing legal instruments such as laws and treaties on human rights, in particular SRHR, both nationally and internationally;
• To enable participants to understand the intersection between an individual’s sexual and reproductive health rights and their legal rights;
• To provide information to participants on use of national and international mechanisms to claim remedies in respect of SRHR violations.

3. BACKGROUND

BLAST, in collaboration with BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University (BRAC JPGSPH) is currently implementing a project titled ‘Promoting Rights Through Inclusion and Empowerment’ (PRiTIE) with the support of RFSU (the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education), which involves awareness, capacity building and advocacy activities focused on creating greater understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly among students of six selected public universities, young professionals, legal and SRHR practitioners, journalists, law and policy makers and service providers.

BLAST’s activities under PRiTIE include setting up Safe Space Groups for students in the selected universities under the guidance of a Safe Space Group Advisory Committee, to enable young students to explore SRHR concepts, such a gender equality, sexuality and diversity, consent and choice in personal relationships and decision-making, awareness of legal rights and remedies, through open dialogue and experience sharing and access to information on SRHR. To ensure that members of the individual Safe Space Advisory Committees are able to appropriately facilitate Safe Space Group discussions with students and other related activities, it is important for them to be oriented on relevant SRHR mechanisms and Bangladesh’s obligations under various international human rights instruments.

BLAST is organising this training to build the capacity of Committee members on SRHR, and is also aiming to provide this training to its panel lawyers to strengthen their capacity on national and international human rights mechanisms on SRHR.

4. PARTICIPANTS

25; Members of Safe Space Group Advisory Committees from the six selected public universities and staff and panel lawyers of BLAST.

5. EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Increased knowledge about national and international human rights mechanisms among Safe Space Group Advisory Committee members and staff and panel lawyers;
• Greater understanding about the application of national and international human rights laws;
• Greater understanding about the intersection between sexual and reproductive health and law;
• Greater understanding of ways to guide students’ discussions around SRHR and the law (for Safe Space Group Advisory Committee members);
• Greater engagement with SRHR focused legal interventions and greater response to clients seeking remedies for SRHR violations (for staff and panel lawyers).

6. Organisational Background

BLAST is a leading legal services organisation, providing legal aid from the frontlines of the formal justice system, in the village courts and magistrates’ courts, to the highest court. It prioritises support to women, men and children living in poverty or facing disadvantage, disability or discrimination. It also provides legal aid, advice and representation across a range of areas, including civil, criminal, family, labour and land law, and on constitutional rights and remedies, providing access to judicial remedies alongside alternative dispute resolution wherever appropriate. BLAST undertakes public interest litigation, as a key part of its advocacy for law, policy and institutional reforms to ensure effective access to justice.
For more information, please visit: www.blast.org.bd

Course Activities : Photo Gallery