"NAGORIKATA" Project

Project at a Glance

“Enhancing the Participation of Women, Youth, and Other Marginalized Groups in Bangladesh to Advance Accountability and Human Rights Culture”

Project Title           : NAGORIKATA

Implemented by    : SoDESH – Satkhira

Supported by         : Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK)

Funded by              : GFA Consulting Group GmbH

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Goal

To bring significant improvement in the human rights situation of Bangladesh.

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Objectives

• To strengthen the capacity of local human rights defenders to play an active role in promoting human rights and gender equality.
• To increase access of the powerless and marginalized people to formal and informal justice systems through legal support.
• To encourage state institutions to take stronger action in preventing violence against women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
• To contribute to the government’s efforts in protecting human rights in line with the Constitution and international human rights standards.

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Working Area

• District: Satkhira
• Upazila: Satkhira Sadar
• Unions Covered:
• Bashdaha Union
• Baikari Union
• Shibpur Union
• Bhomra Union

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Key Activities / Programs

1. Formation, orientation, and bi-monthly coordination meetings of Human Rights Women Council (MNP) and Human Rights Protection Council (MSP).
2.  Orientation and quarterly meetings of Human Rights Lawyers Forum (HRLF).
3. Organizing Community Legal Camps.
4. Orientation and formation of School Drama Groups (BINAD), workshops with teachers and students on human rights, online and offline child sexual exploitation; reading circles, school wall magazines, debate competitions, and drama performances.
5. Orientation and bi-monthly meetings of Youth Girls Groups (YGG) and regular communication through social media platforms.
6. Project inception meeting and baseline survey.
7. Publication of project success stories and future directions.
8. FM radio programs on legal awareness and human rights.
9. Registration, counseling, legal aid, and mediation for survivors of violence; client workshops and case referrals through HRLF.
10. Operation of a helpline for victims of violence and psychosocial counseling.
11. Courtyard meetings for community awareness.
12. Coordination meetings with Government Legal Aid Committee, Bar Association, Judiciary, Law Enforcement Agencies, and Anti-Trafficking Committees.
13. Roundtable discussions with CSO networks and local administration.
14. ICT-based empowerment workshops with IT professionals and experts.
15. Campaigns on online/offline sexual exploitation, child marriage, birth registration, women’s education, child budget, marriage registration, and trafficking.
16. Networking and quarterly meetings with various CSOs.
17. Press conferences on human rights issues.
18. Roundtable meetings with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Information Commission, and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
19. Advocacy meeting at district level with human rights defenders, journalists, and professionals on enacting a Human Rights Defenders Protection Law.
20. Conducting Public Interest Litigations (PILs) when necessary.

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Beneficiaries

Women                 : 120

Men                      : 100

Total Direct         : 220

Indirect Reach    : Approximately 2 million people

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Coverage Summary

The project operates directly in four unions of Satkhira Sadar Upazila and indirectly covers the entire district and its upazilas, engaging a wide range of stakeholders — including human rights defenders, legal actors, government institutions, media, and youth organizations — to promote accountability, justice, and a stronger human rights culture in Bangladesh.