Protecting Human Rights (PHR) Program: Cooperative Agreement No. AID-388-A-11-00002

The program focuses on 102 unions and nine upazilas of six districts in Bangladesh, including Barguna, Bogra, Chittagong, Dinajpur, Jessore, and Sylhet. The aim of the program is to reduce domestic violence and related human rights abuses. The PHR program is designed around four Intermediate Results (IRs): IR 1, Key DV and HR Legislation and Policies Enforced; IR 2, Increased use of Formal and Informal Justice Systems by HR abuse Survivors; IR 3, Increased Support Services to HR Abuse Survivors; and IR 4, Public Awareness on HR Issues Improved. These IRs relate to five major program components: advocacy for law reform and enforcement to reduce domestic violence, capacity building of key stakeholders, increasing access to justice for survivors of human rights abuses, providing survivor services, and building mass awareness and implementing educational campaigns on domestic violence and other human rights abuses. To achieve its goal, the PHR program emphasizes the importance of forming partnerships, alliances, and collaborative efforts to foster preventive and protective measures, promote legal and human rights, and develop linkages between local and national government representatives, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders. The program works in loosely-structured coalitions as agents of change, with Plan International, BNWLA, ICRW, and other local partners in Bangladesh spearheading efforts to eradicate domestic violence and related human rights abuses. The program is implemented in partnership with the Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) and sub-grants to 11 local partner NGOs to carry out specific tasks at the district, upazila, and union levels. The PHR program aims to reduce domestic violence and related human rights abuses in targeted areas, with a focus on reducing the prevalence of domestic violence and promoting the rights of survivors. The program's activities are guided by a Performance Management Plan (PMP) matrix, which outlines the program's objectives, indicators, and targets. The PMP matrix is updated regularly to reflect changes in the program's activities and progress towards its objectives. The program also conducts regular monitoring and evaluation to assess its progress and identify areas for improvement. The PHR program has made significant progress in its first quarter, with achievements in all five program components. The program has established partnerships with key stakeholders, including government representatives, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders. The program has also conducted training and capacity-building activities for key stakeholders, including law enforcement officials, judges, and social workers. In addition, the program has provided support services to survivors of domestic violence and human rights abuses, including counseling, legal assistance, and economic empowerment. The program has also conducted mass awareness and educational campaigns on domestic violence and other human rights abuses, reaching a large audience through various media channels. The PHR program has also made progress in increasing access to justice for survivors of human rights abuses, with a focus on promoting the use of formal and informal justice systems. The program has established partnerships with local courts and law enforcement agencies to provide support services to survivors and promote the use of justice systems. Overall, the PHR program has made significant progress in its first quarter, with achievements in all five program components. The program continues to work towards its goal of reducing domestic violence and related human rights abuses in targeted areas, with a focus on promoting the rights of survivors and increasing access to justice.