Symbiosis International

As mentioned previously, the majority of the poor in Bangladesh still live in rural areas. However, there is still a very large population of poor women, men and children for whom the large towns and cities have become home. Many have moved to the city seeking to escape poverty, but have failed to find the work they hoped existed there. Living in crowded slums, the struggle to earn a livelihood intensifies, and outside family support networks, many women take up casual sex work to survive. It is out of a desire to help the urban poor, and in particular the women and children, that Symbiosis began its Women’s and Children’s Program. This program seeks to assist women and children who are living in urban areas and who may also have other factors placing the children in ‘at risk’ situations. The Women’s and Children’s Program consists of six projects. The two UWDP projects seek to work with women living in urban slums on the fringes of Mymensingh and Dhaka. The three MCP projects specifically seek to assist children whose living situation places them in a high level of vulnerability. These are also located in urban areas, but seek to work closely with children who are at risk of being ostracised by society because of their parents’ profession or, in the case of the Horijon community (who are Hindus), because of their caste. Five of the six Women’s and Children’s Program provide assistance in the form of educational support to assist children to enter mainstream schooling. Health and nutrition awareness-raising is also very important. Some projects also carry out peer savings, income generation activities and vocational training to help women and children find safer and more secure ways of earning a living.

Finally, because of the need for advocacy and awareness-raising related to women’s rights, a specialised project has been included: the Women’s Advocacy and Gender Equality Project. This is one of the most important projects within Symbiosis, because it empowers women in all other projects  by helping them understand their legal and human rights.