UNDP Bangladesh Human Rights Program

During 2022, the NHRCs capacity to interact, advocate and monitor Human Rights has increased. This has been monitored and the feedback on complaint handling service of the NHRC mechanism confirm that service delivery satisfaction is 89 % of the clients. This is a significant increase from previous years. A high number of capacity development activities/ trainings have been conducted throughout 2021 and first half of 2022. Among other, 439 police officials (188 male and 251 female) have received human rights trainings. Reports have come in on how police officials have used this enhanced capacity and knowledge to act. For example, the Officer in Charge at a Police station in a targeted district has been actively engaged in the promotion of human rights in community policing activities. That station has also started implementing child friendly immediate police services for enhanced protection and best interest of the child. The "Women´s safety in Public Place (WSSP)"-campaign, aimed at addressing gender-based violence, had a significant reach with estimated 7 million people reached by its messaging. Youth groups connected to the HRP showed great engagement and designed and rolled out a survey to women to assess perceptions on safety in public places. These results have been compiled in a report (87 % of the women in the survey reported feeling unsafe in public places. Public transport indicated as the least safe environment. Youth groups and activists are now also carrying the recommendations from the campaign forward in their advocacy.

The four-year programme aims to encourage and support the human rights and justice institutions with a special focus on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as well as other relevant stakeholders to approach policy development, service delivery and decision-making from a proactive human rights perspective. It has a particular focus on working with vulnerable and marginalized groups, including women and girls, children and young people, ethnic and religious minorities, people with disabilities, Dalit and other minorities. It will build gender equality initiatives, strengthen civil society activities for women and girls and build the position of the NHRC as an important partner for gender equality within Bangladesh.