Background & Context

Cox’s Bazar of Chittagong division is a coastal district located to south-eastern corner of Bangladesh. The Bay of Bengal is located to the south and west of the district thus it is the most significant domestic tourist destination, famous for its beaches. According to the UNDA Framework, Cox’s Bazar district is considered as one of 20 (out of 64) ‘lagging districts’ of Bangladesh (based on indicators of poverty, literacy, nutrition, infrastructures, services, risks associated with environmental degradation, etc.). It is also one of nine districts performing poorly on all indicators. In addition, a lot of social disorder lead this community towards more vulnerabilities. As this area surrounded by India and Myanmar its so-called drugs transit road. Other social disorder like domestic violence, Child marriage, Dowry system and social restriction on Girl’s education are too high in this area.

Noted that, this district is highly vulnerable of climate changes and it’s a disaster-prone area which increase food insecurity and vulnerability.

Due to recent influx from Myanmar social tension is increased and cultural conflict arise which disrupting social peace.

Realising the fact, ASTA foundation intend to aware community people on most crucial social disorder and climate change related risk.

Proposed Action & Implementation

ASTA  seeking funding from the member, well-wisher, and humanitarian hearted  to implement the following interventions:

Proposed Activity

1. Awareness session on Child Marriage
2. Awareness session on Dowry
3. Awareness session on Girl’s education
4. Awareness session on Climate Vulnerability and Risk
5. Awareness session on Domestic violence and Gender-based violence

Beneficiary Selection, Visibility & Reporting

Beneficiary Selection:

The selection of beneficiaries for the awareness sessions will be conducted in a transparent and inclusive manner. ASTA Foundation will collaborate with local community leaders, NGOs, and government authorities to identify households (HH) in Cox’s Bazar that are most vulnerable to social disorders and climate-related risks. Criteria for selection may include socio-economic status, vulnerability to child marriage and domestic violence, adherence to dowry practices, and limited access to education, particularly for girls.

Visibility:

To ensure transparency and visibility, ASTA Foundation commits to providing regular updates and documentation of the project activities. This will include:

1. Project Launch Event: ASTA Foundation will organize a launch event to introduce the project to the community. Representatives from the lead agency, local authorities, and beneficiaries will be invited, and media coverage will be sought to enhance visibility.
2. Awareness Sessions: Each awareness session will be documented through photographs and videos, capturing key moments and interactions. These visual materials will be used for reports and to showcase the impact of the project.
3. Community Engagement: ASTA Foundation will actively engage with the community through meetings, feedback sessions, and progress reports. This will ensure that the community is well-informed and actively participating in the project.
4. Social Media and Website: Regular updates will be posted on ASTA Foundation’s social media platforms and website. This will include success stories, milestones achieved, and the overall progress of the project.

Reporting Process:

ASTA Foundation is committed to maintaining a robust reporting process to keep stakeholders informed about the project’s progress. The reporting process will include:

1. Regular Reports: Monthly and quarterly reports will be generated, detailing the activities conducted, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved. These reports will be shared with funding contributors, community leaders, and relevant government bodies.
2. Financial Reporting: A detailed financial report, outlining the budget allocation and expenditure, will be provided to ensure transparency in the use of funds. This report will be shared with the funding contributors.
3. Impact Assessment: ASTA Foundation will conduct a comprehensive impact assessment at the end of the project period. This assessment will measure the effectiveness of the awareness sessions and the changes observed in the targeted beneficiaries.
4. Community Feedback: ASTA Foundation will actively seek feedback from the community through surveys and direct interactions. This feedback will be incorporated into the reports, providing a holistic view of the project’s impact.

By ensuring beneficiary selection based on genuine need, maintaining high visibility, and implementing a thorough reporting process, ASTA Foundation aims to create a lasting positive impact in Cox’s Bazar.

Expected Outcome and Indicators

Expected Outcomes:

1. Percentage decrease in reported cases of child marriage in the targeted households.
2. Number of households actively taking steps to discourage or eliminate dowry practices.
3. Percentage increase in the enrolment of girls in schools within the project area.
4. Improvement in the community’s knowledge level on climate change-related risks and vulnerabilities. Percentage decrease in reported incidents of domestic violence and gender-based violence in the targeted households.
5. Adoption of climate-resilient practices and behaviour’s in the community, such as sustainable agricultural methods or disaster preparedness measures.

Outcome Indicators:

1. Knowledge Level Increase: Pre-and post-awareness session assessments measuring the increase in knowledge regarding child marriage, dowry, girls’ education, climate vulnerabilities, and domestic violence.
2. Community Engagement: Number of community members actively participating in awareness sessions and subsequent community initiatives.
3. Policy Advocacy and Support: Number of advocacy initiatives and policy recommendations proposed or supported by the community to address social disorders and climate-related challenges.
4. Behavioural Changes: Observable changes in behaviour, attitudes, and practices related to child marriage, dowry, girls’ education, and violence within the community.
5. School Attendance: Regular monitoring of school attendance records to assess the impact on girls’ education.
6. Community Resilience Index: Development and implementation of a community resilience index, measuring the community’s overall ability to cope with and adapt to social and climate-related challenges.

Regular monitoring and evaluation based on these expected outcomes and indicators will allow ASTA Foundation to gauge the success and impact of the project, making adjustments as needed to ensure the desired positive changes in Cox’s Bazar.

Budget and Resources

The budget for the “Community Awareness on Social Disorder” project in Cox’s Bazar Sadar is estimated at xxx. The allocation of funds will be as follows:

Project Implementation Work Plan

By following this comprehensive implementation plan, ASTA Foundation aims to create lasting positive changes in Cox’s Bazar, addressing social disorders and building community resilience to climate-related challenges.

Conclusion

ASTA Foundation’s “Community Awareness on Social Disorder” project in Cox’s Bazar Sadar spans from January 2022 to December 2023, targeting issues like child marriage, dowry, girls’ education, climate vulnerability, and domestic violence. The phased approach, ongoing community engagement, and robust monitoring indicate a strategic and sustainable effort. By fostering awareness and community empowerment, the project aspires to create lasting positive changes, contributing to a resilient and informed community.