Impact Study on The role of men and boys of SHOUHARDO III in catalyzing Women Empowerment (WE) and reducing Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

Impact Study on The role of men and boys of SHOUHARDO III in catalyzing Women Empowerment (WE) and reducing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) 

The persistence of food insecurity and vulnerability to shocks among the Poor & Extremely Poor (PEP) in Bangladesh is driven by a myriad of social, economic, ecological, and governance factors. Here men are assumed to be the primary breadwinners and women are typically expected to handle the majority of domestic or care work, which is less socially valued and hence leads to women's lower social status. Bangladeshi masculinity has traditionally been associated with the "dominant male model," in which men are expected to serve as family guardians by fulfilling household providing roles. The theme of division of labor addressed the issue of social differences between men and women in household and income-generating activities, whereas the theme of discrimination addressed equity in education, food intake, and rights.

To address these issues, CARE Bangladesh, as award holder, has been working with 6 PNGOs and various technical partners to implement the SHOUHARDO III (2015-2020) award in 8 vulnerable districts (Char and Hoar) of the country. The SHOUARDO III program builds on the gains and lessons from its predecessors SHOUHARDO and SHOUHARDO II by maintaining a strong emphasis on improving food security and livelihoods, improving nutrition for the PEP, and promoting women’s empowerment at the community level.  To compliment that, SHOUHARDO III aims to conduct a thematic study of the perspective and role of boys and men regarding WE and GBV, in terms of the current understanding and scenario (since the start of extension phase S3X), and what direction should the WE and GBV related activities go to for its future sustainability keeping in mind the timeframe of the program.

CRD (led by Dr. Md Mokhlesur Rahman, lead consultant & CEO of CRD) has been contracted and assigned to carry out this study. The objective of the study is to assess boys’ and men's perspectives and roles in promoting WE and reducing GBV in SHOUHARDO III program areas to inform the program design for future sustainability.