Program 4: Human Rights, Good Governance and Advocacy
This program reflects Shushilan's understanding that poverty is not only material but political — that lasting development requires people to know their rights, claim entitlements and hold institutions to account. Where other programs build assets and services, this one builds voice, justice and accountable local governance, particularly for the marginalized groups of the coastal belt.
Access to social justice sits at its heart. Shushilan supports poor and excluded people to understand and exercise their legal rights, resolve disputes and seek redress, with dedicated attention to the protection of women and children from trafficking — a persistent risk in poverty-stricken, disaster-affected and border-adjacent areas. Preventing child marriage has become a signature campaign, pursued through community mobilization, bicycle rallies, human chains and 'marriage not before 18' round-table advocacy. Strengthening democratic institutions is the governance pillar, notably through the strengthening of Union Parishads so that the lowest tier of the state functions in the interests of ordinary citizens.
Three advocacy movements stand out. Land-rights establishment and land movements have helped landless families secure access to land — with permanent settlement for 998 households and temporary allocation for 155 — and organized communities to claim khas land and resist dispossession. Religious-minority rights advocacy has supported the recognition and protection of marginalized communities including the Munda, Rishi and Ahmadiyya. Water movements have mobilized people around access to fresh-water ponds and the resolution of long-standing waterlogging. Reinforced by Shushilan's broader networks and its Business Development, Research & Advocacy Cell, the program ensures that the coastal poor are not merely recipients of assistance but active claimants of their rights.
Key Activities
- Human rights and access to social justice
- Strengthening democratic institutions
- Strengthening of Union Parishad
- Protection of women and children from trafficking
- Advocacy and lobbying
- Land rights establishment and land movements
- Religious minority rights (Munda, Rishi and Ahmadiyya)
- Water movements (fresh-water ponds and waterlogging)
Total beneficiaries reached: approximately 1.2 million (12 lakh)
Related Projects
| SL# | Project Name | Donor / Partner | Duration | Working Area | Budget (BDT) | Short Overview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Social and Behaviour Change Programme for prevention of Violence Against Children (including child marriage) and promotion of children & adolescent well-being (SBC) | UNICEF | Dec 2022 – Dec 2024 | Bhola Sadar, Lalmohon, Charfashion, Monpura, Galachipa, Kalapara, Barguna Sadar, Patharghata | 18,213,000 | Increases adoption of positive behaviors by parents/caregivers to end child marriage and violence against children. |
| 2. | Social & Behaviour Change Project (SBC) | UNICEF | Oct 2023 – Mar 2025 | Syamnagar, Assasuni, Fakirhat, Mongla, Shoronkhola, Narail Sadar, Kalia, Magura Sadar, Shalikha, Khulna City Corporation | 12,990,016 | Reduces multiple vulnerabilities — child marriage, violence, climate change, EPI, nutrition and education awareness. |
| 3. | SBC Interventions to Foster the Wellbeing, Rights and Empowerment of the Most Marginalized Children and Adolescents in Sylhet | UNICEF | Dec 2023 – Dec 2025 | Sylhet Sadar, Sylhet City Corporation, Jaintapur (Sylhet), Bishambharpur (Sunamganj) | 4,867,300 | Protects and empowers marginalized children and adolescents to raise their voice on their issues. |
| 4. | Combating Early Marriage in Bangladesh (CEMB) project | Plan International Bangladesh | Jul 2019 – Dec 2023 | Bhola District | 14,365,314 | Reduces adolescents' (especially girls') vulnerability to Child Early and Forced Marriage in Bhola. |
| 5. | Environmental Resilience Building (ERB) with Citizens' Needs under Khulna City Corporation | USAID | Aug 2023 – Sep 2024 | Khulna City Corporation | 5,226,812 | Advocates for citizens' demands to be reflected in election manifestos and local-government development plans. |
| 6. | Improve the livelihood of Persons With Disability (PWD) and marginalised people through capacity development | Bangladesh NGO Foundation | Nov 2022 – Jan 2024 | Kaliganj & Shyamnagar upazila, Satkhira | 800,000 | Provides mobility, education, WASH and business support to PWD and marginalized people. |
| 7. | Social and Behaviour Change Program for prevention of Violence Against Children (including child marriage) and promotion of children & adolescent well-being (SBC) | UNICEF | Dec 2022 – Dec 2024 | Bhola Sadar, Lalmohon, Charfashion, Monpura, Galachipa, Kalapara, Barguna Sadar, Patharghata | 9,049,876 | Increases adoption of positive behaviors by parents/caregivers to end child marriage and violence against children. |
| 8. | Platform for Dialogue (P4D) | British Council | Jul 2018 – Apr 2023 | Avaynagar, Gopalganj Sadar, Pirojpur Sadar, Kachya, Patuakhali Sadar | 5,862,267 | Strengthens democratic ownership and improves accountability mechanisms in Bangladesh. |
| 9. | Combatting Early Marriage in Bangladesh (CEMB) project | Plan International Bangladesh | Jul 2019 – Mar 2023 | Bhola District | 830,056 | Reduces adolescents' (especially girls') vulnerability to Child Early and Forced Marriage. |
| 10. | Combatting Early Marriage in Bangladesh (NSU) | Plan International Bangladesh | Jan 2021 – Jun 2023 | Pirojpur district | 33,560 | Increases responsiveness of duty bearers to prevent and respond to child-rights violations (CEFM). |
| 11. | Environmental Resilience Building (ERB) with Citizens' Needs under Khulna City Corporation | USAID, FCDO (TA: Counterpart International) | May 2021 – Mar 2023 | Khulna Sadar (Ward 5 & 9, Khulna City Corporation) | 10,384,596 | Increases urban citizens' knowledge and participation in resource allocation and enforcing laws on utility services. |
| 12. | Gender Based Violence (GBV) Humanitarian Response | ActionAid Bangladesh | Jul 2022 – Dec 2022 | Barguna district | 38,000,000 | Coordinates NGO networks to prevent GBV in humanitarian contexts. |
| 13. | Leadership for Advancing Development in Bangladesh (LEAD Bangladesh) Project | British Council | Mar 2021 – Oct 2022 | Dumuria & KCC, Khulna district | 988,850 | Empowers young people as skilled leaders to identify innovative, sustainable solutions to local/global challenges. |
| 14. | ASTHA – Strengthening Access to Multi-Sectoral Public Services for GBV Survivors in Bangladesh | Ain o Salish Kendra | Apr 2018 – Dec 2021 | Kalapara, Galachipa, Mirzaganj, Patuakhali | 2,338,531 | Increases access to multi-sector response services for GBV survivors and positive attitudes about harmful gender norms. |
| 15. | Capacity development of person with disability and support for livelihoods | NGO Foundation | Yearly basis | Kaliganj upazila, Satkhira | 275,000 | Develops the capacity of persons with disability and creates livelihood-improvement opportunities. |
| 16. | Platform for Dialogue (P4D) | British Council | Jul 2018 – Apr 2023 | Avaynagar (Jashore), Gopalganj Sadar, Pirojpur Sadar, Kachya (Bagerhat), Patuakhali Sadar | 16,778,174 | Strengthens democratic ownership and improves accountability mechanisms in Bangladesh. |
| 17. | Elderly People Welfare Project | Penny Appeal-UK | Jun 2020 – Dec 2021 | Shyamnagar, Satkhira | 11,885,465 | Improves elderly people's access to adequate food, primary health care and psycho-social counselling. |
| 18. | Women in Action to Engage and Resistance (WATER) Project | Action Aid Bangladesh | Jan 2011 – Dec 2021 | Pathorghata upazila, Barguna | 1,437,276 | Strengthens women's empowerment, control over resources and skills in dealing with disasters. |
| 19. | Combatting Early Marriage in Bangladesh (CEMB) project | Plan International Bangladesh | Jul 2019 – Mar 2023 | Bhola district | 98,504,768 | Reduces adolescents' (especially girls') vulnerability to Child Early and Forced Marriage. |
| 20. | Combatting Early Marriage in Bangladesh (NSU) | Plan International Bangladesh | Jan 2021 – Jun 2023 | Pirojpur | 2,200,738 | Increases responsiveness of duty bearers to prevent and respond to child-rights violations (CEFM). |
| 21. | Environmental Resilience Building (ERB) with Citizens' Needs under Khulna City Corporation | USAID, FCDO (TA: Counterpart International) | May 2021 – Feb 2023 | Khulna Sadar (Ward 5 & 9, Khulna City Corporation) | 8,927,878 | Increases urban citizens' knowledge and participation in resource allocation and enforcing laws on utility services. |
| 22. | Gender Based Violence (GBV) Humanitarian Response | ActionAid Bangladesh | Jul 2021 – Jun 2022 | Barguna | 349,582,039 | Coordinates NGO networks and media to prevent GBV in humanitarian contexts. |
| 23. | Leadership for Advancing Development in Bangladesh (LEAD Bangladesh) Project | British Council | Mar 2021 – Oct 2022 | Dumuria & KCC, Khulna district | 3,768,881 | Empowers young people as skilled leaders to identify innovative, sustainable solutions to local/global challenges. |
| 24. | Women in Action to Engage and Resistance (WATER) Project | Action Aid Bangladesh | 2011 – 2020 | Pathorghata Sadar & Charduani union, Pathorghata (Barguna) | 2,750,000 | Strengthens women's empowerment, control over resources and skills in dealing with disasters. |
| 25. | Combating Early Marriage in Bangladesh (CEMB) project | Plan International Bangladesh | Jul 2019 – Mar 2023 | Daulatkhan, Borhanuddin, Tazumuddin (Bhola) | 7,602,955 | Reduces adolescents' (especially girls') vulnerability to Child Early and Forced Marriage in Bhola. |
| 26. | Youth Empowerment for Social Cohesion (YESC) | USAID | Jul 2020 – Jun 2023 | Ukhiya upazila, Cox's Bazar | 1,820,038 | Protects lives and fosters peace, health and opportunity for host communities affected by the Rohingya crisis. |
| 27. | Active Citizens Digital Model Project | British Council | Dec 2020 – Apr 2021 | Dumuria (Khulna) & KCC Ward 5 | 712,000 | Builds active-citizenship leadership and social action through digital platforms. |
| 28. | ASTHA – Strengthening Access to Multi-Sectoral Public Services for GBV Survivors in Bangladesh | Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) | Apr 2018 – Dec 2021 | Mirzaganj, Kalapara & Galachipa, Patuakhali | 9,434,019 | Increases access to multi-sector response services for GBV survivors and positive attitudes about harmful gender norms. |
| 29. | Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) | Action Aid Bangladesh | Jul 2020 – Jun 2021 | Pathorghata upazila, Barguna | 10,000,600 | Provides psychosocial support, dignity kits and SRHR materials to women, adolescents and third-gender people. |
| 30. | Women in Action to Engage and Resist (WATER) Project | Action Aid Bangladesh | 2011 – 2020 | Pathorghata Sadar & Charduani union, Pathorghata (Barguna) | 1,176,903 | Strengthens women's empowerment, control over resources and skills in dealing with disasters. |
| 31. | International Citizen Service (ICS) | Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Bangladesh | Apr 2016 – Mar 2020 | Rampal upazila, Bagerhat | 5,000,000 | Trains international volunteers on community governance, improving livelihoods and reproductive health rights. |
| 32. | ASTHA – Strengthening Access to Multi-Sectoral Public Services for GBV Survivors in Bangladesh | Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), TA by UNFPA | Apr 2018 – Dec 2021 | Mirzaganj, Kalapara & Galachipa, Patuakhali | 11,634,907 | Increases access to multi-sector response services for GBV survivors and positive attitudes about harmful gender norms. |
| 33. | Empowering Smallholders to Strengthen Local Domestic Governance (KHAMATAYAN) Project | Solidarités International (co-funded by the European Union) | Jan 2018 – Jun 2021 | Tala, Assasuni & Sadar Union, Satkhira | 7,997,599 | Ensures inclusive rural economic development by stimulating effective engagement of smallholder farmer-led CSOs. |
| 34. | Strengthening Women's Ability for Productive New Opportunities (SWAPNO) | UNDP | May 2018 – Dec 2019 | Satkhira district | 14,279,895 | Promotes inclusive economic growth for rural poor women through income-generation skills and rotating savings/credit. |
| 35. | Chittagong City Outer Ring Road Resettlement Project | Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) | Feb 2012 – Aug 2019 | Chittagong City Corporation | 82,485,100 | Safeguards and mitigates losses for people affected by the ring-road scheme and disburses compensation. |
| 36. | Women in Action to Engage and Resist (WATER) Project | Action Aid Bangladesh | 2011 – 2020 | Pathorghata Sadar & Charduani union, Pathorghata (Barguna) | 9,018,856 | Strengthens women's empowerment, control over resources and skills in dealing with disasters. |
| 37. | International Citizen Service (ICS) | Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Bangladesh | Apr 2016 – Mar 2020 | Rampal upazila, Bagerhat | 6,600,000 | Trains international volunteers on community governance, improving livelihoods and reproductive health rights. |
| 38. | ASTHA – Strengthening Access to Multi-Sectoral Public Services for GBV Survivors in Bangladesh | Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), TA by UNFPA | Apr 2018 – Dec 2021 | Mirzaganj, Kalapara & Galachipa, Patuakhali | 10,845,968 | Increases access to multi-sector response services for GBV survivors and positive attitudes about harmful gender norms. |
| 39. | Platform for Dialogue (P4D) | British Council | Jul 2018 – Dec 2019 | Jessore, Gopalganj, Pirojpur, Bagerhat & Patuakhali | 50,587,350 | Strengthens democratic ownership and improves accountability mechanisms in Bangladesh. |
| 40. | Resettlement Assistance (Livelihood & Income-Loss Restoration and Compensation Plan) of Maheshkhali | Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) | Apr 2019 – Mar 2021 | Moheshkhali upazila, Cox's Bazar | 24,226,479 | Collects resettlement data, identifies eligible persons and distributes compensation following LARAP policy. |
| 41. | Strengthening Women's Ability for Productive New Opportunities project (SWAPNO) | United Nations Development Programme | Jun 2014 – Mar 2018 | Satkhira | 21,400,000 (exp.) | Promotes inclusive economic growth for rural poor women through income-generation skills and rotating savings/credit. |
| 42. | Women in Action to Engage and Resist Project (WATER) | Action Aid Bangladesh | Jan 2011 – Dec 2019 | Barguna district | 8,300,000 (exp.) | Strengthens women's empowerment, control over resources and skills in dealing with disasters. |
| 43. | International Citizens' Services project (ICS) | Voluntary Service Overseas, Bangladesh | Apr 2016 – Aug 2018 | Bagerhat district | 5,300,000 (exp.) | Trains international volunteers on community governance, improving livelihoods and reproductive health rights. |
| 44. | Vulnerable Group Development Project (VGD) | Department of Women's Affairs, Bangladesh | Feb 2017 – Dec 2018 | Rangpur district | 1,900,000 (exp.) | Helps vulnerable communities become self-sustaining through training on economic and life skills. |
| 45. | Active Citizen Project | British Council | Jul 2017 – Mar 2019 | Khulna, Pirojpur & Satkhira districts | 2,400,000 (exp.) | Promotes community cohesion and improvement through civic engagement and youth leadership development. |
| 46. | National Citizen Service (NCS) | Voluntary Service Overseas, Bangladesh | Aug 2017 – Jul 2018 | Satkhira district | 3,700,000 (exp.) | Promotes community leadership and livelihoods by developing volunteers' capacity through training and courtyard sessions. |
| 47. | Local Governance Programme – 'Sharique' (Partnership) | HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation | Jul 2016 – Jul 2017 | Koyra & Paikgacha (Khulna) | 5,562,000 (exp.) | Explores partnership in local government and develops solutions for improved sub-national local-government systems and decentralisation. |
| 48. | International Citizens' Services project (ICS) | Voluntary Service Overseas, Bangladesh | Apr 2016 – Sep 2018 | Batiaghata (Khulna) | 4,448,000 (exp.) | Trains international volunteers on community governance, improving livelihoods and reproductive health rights. |
| 49. | Strengthening Women's Ability for Productive New Opportunities project (SWAPNO) | United Nations Development Programme | Jun 2014 – Mar 2019 | Shyamnagar, Kaliganj, Assasuni, Debhata, Satkhira | 13,186,000 (exp.) | Promotes inclusive economic growth for rural poor women through income-generation skills and rotating savings/credit. |
| 50. | Vulnerable Group Development project (VGD) | Bangladesh Government | Mar 2015 – Dec 2018 | Mithapukur, Pirganj (Rangpur) | 640,000 (exp.) | Helps vulnerable communities become self-sustaining through training on economic and life skills. |
| 51. | Women in Action to Engage and Resistance project (WATER) | Action Aid Bangladesh | Jan 2011 – Dec 2020 | Pathorghata (Barguna) | 2,832,000 (exp.) | Strengthens women's empowerment, control over resources and skills in dealing with disasters. |
| 52. | Women in Action to Engage and Resistance (WATER) Project | Action Aid Bangladesh | Jan 2011 – Dec 2020 | Pathorghata (Barguna) | 4,742,477 | Protects against violence against women and avails GoB facilities via citizen platforms and advocacy on fisheries/rights. |
| 53. | Strengthening Women's Ability for Productive New Opportunity (SWAPNO) | UNDP Bangladesh | Sep 2014 – Sep 2016 | Shyamnagar, Kaligonj, Ashasuni, Debhata, Tala (Satkhira) | 15,819,043 | Achieves sustainable livelihood improvements for the most marginalized communities in areas of extreme climate vulnerability. |
| 54. | Local Governance Programmes SHARIQUE Phase-III | SDC (via HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Bangladesh) | 2014 – 2016 | Paikgacha & Koyra (Khulna) | 22,188,264 | Strengthens social and resource mapping at UP level and refreshes UPs on their roles and responsibilities. |
| 55. | Local Governance Programme SHARIQUE Phase-III | SDC (via HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Bangladesh) | Jul 2014 – Jun 2015 | Dacope & Koyra Upazila (Khulna) | 15,376,481 | Strengthens social/resource mapping at UP level, open-budget declaration and UP capacity development. |
| 56. | Strengthening Democratic Local Governance (SDLG) | USAID – Tetra Tech ARD | Jan 2012 – Oct 2014 | Satkhira, Bhola, Bagerhat & Gopalganj | 88,619,213 | Strengthens democratic local governance through open-budget support, LGCI, CIG training and drama/live performances. |
| 57. | Women in Action to Engage and Resistance (WATER) in Barguna District | ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) | Jan 2014 – Dec 2014 | Pathorghata Upazila (Barguna) | 4,499,500 | Protects against violence against women through UP committees, early-marriage prevention and legal support for victims. |
| 58. | Women in Action to Engage and Resistance (WATER) in Barguna District | ActionAid Bangladesh | Jan 2011 – Dec 2013 | Pathorghata upazila (Barguna) | 13,004,292 | Strengthens women's empowerment and protects against violence against women. |
| 59. | Strengthening Democratic Local Governance (SDLG) | Tetra Tech ARD (USAID) | Dec 2011 – Nov 2013 | Satkhira, Bhola & Bagerhat | 88,619,213 | Strengthens democratic local governance through capacity building and open-budget support. |
| 60. | SDLG Drama | Tetra Tech ARD (USAID) | Jan 2013 – Sep 2013 | Bhola, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Narail & Jessore | 5,255,208 | Supports democratic local governance awareness through drama performances. |
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