Between the 12 and 14th of December, four representatives from the Norwegian embassy visited projects supported by the Manusher Jonno Foundation. The organization coordinates grants to over 120 organizations working on human rights and good governance in Bangladesh.
Meeting with mothers
The trip schedule included visits to five different organizations in the Khulna district. Rupantor, a project that has educated over 1400 young mothers about their rights for local government services, welcomed the embassy representatives to take part in two different ‘mother’s club’ meetings.
- Through monthly meetings the women in our mothers groups learn about their citizen rights through learning sessions and discussions, tells Sutapa Bedanja, Project Coordinator for the Rupantor project in Khulna.
She explains that lack of knowledge and illiteracy contributes to a huge number of people in Bangladesh being unaware about their citizen rights.
- Bangladesh faces a multitude of problems. Take for instance violence against women, a big problem in our country. If people don’t know that is wrong, it will keep happening, says Bedanja.
During the three-day stay the representatives from the embassy also visited Banchte Shekha, Shaplaful, Uttaran and Bhumija, organizations working on violence against women, reproductive health rights, land rights and the rights of untouchable communities. The group also made an unscheduled visit to Bangladesh Mahila Parishad district office in Khulna, another development partner of the embassy.
LAND RIGHTS. A woman from a local community in Satkhira proudly shows documentation on her land deed acquired with the help of Uttaran organization. Norway supports the organization through the Manusher Jonno Foundation. . Photo: Nordeng / Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka - An important insight
Norway has supported The Manusher Jonno Foundation since 2006. This year the embassy signed a new agreement with the foundation for 20 million NOK yearly over three years.
- The project visits gave us an important insight in the way these grass root organizations work and a better understanding of the problems these communities face in their everyday life, says Brækhus.