Our Strategy

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MJF’s STRATEGIC PLAN 2019-2028

Based on the national context, the following strategic pillars has been identified by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) to guide its work during 2019-2028. MJF will primarily focus on excluded population in Bangladesh. By exclusion, MJF considers those group of population who are ‘systematically blocked from (or denied full access to) various rights, opportunities and resources that are normally available to members of a different group.’ MJF has identified more than 12 categories of excluded or marginalised people in Bangladesh. These are: ethnic minority, indigenous people, Dalit and others disadvantaged (bede and others), PWDs, sex workers, old aged, fisher folk, widow/ destitute women, transgender, youth/ adolescents, child labour, women survivors, vulnerable / exploited worker. During this strategic phase from 2019-2028, MJF will expand  its efforts in improving the situation  of these vulnerable people specially the  marginalised  in Bangladesh by addressing inequality, discrimination, violence, insecurity, livelihoods and also address climate change impacts.

MJF has articulated four strategic pillars for work during 2019-2028. Through its first strategic pillar: research and evidenced-based advocacy, MJF will highlight human rights perspectives on different dimensions of existing inequalities, outline ways in which discrimination further exacerbate inequalities and make recommendations to ensure that laws and policies benefit  the most marginalised.

Through its second strategic pillar: partnership and social mobilisation at the grassroots level, MJF will steer social movements in support of promotion of human rights and good governance values and principles to produce momentum for ensuring dignity and rights of the marginalised community people.

Through its third strategic pillar: strengthening capacities of both demand and supply sides actors, MJF will strive to ensure that the authorities are sufficiently sensitised and motivated to respond to demands of the rights holders; Partner Non- governmental Organisations (PNGOs) are able to implement their programmes and projects more effectively, efficiently and communities from excluded, marginalised and disadvantaged sections of the society are empowered and sufficiently equipped to raise their collective voices.

Through its fourth strategic pillar: initiate revenue generating activities MJF will work towards organisation’s sustainability  to establish itself as an independent Foundation capable of carrying out its activities in a scenario of diminishing donor support. MJF will explore diverse types of partnerships, funding and support fueled by evidence, branding and networking.

These four strategic pillars reflect MJF’s belief that people-powered and collective action is at the center of transformative change. MJF is in a strong position to effectively respond to and overcome both human rights and good governance challenges for the benefit of excluded, marginalised and disadvantaged communities of Bangladesh.

MJF’s first three pillars of strategic approach is also consistent with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) all-encompassing theme of ‘Leave No One Behind’ that highlights the foundational role of inclusion which strengthens not only the social, but also the economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

For the 2019-2028, MJF has identified the following programmatic issues to work on.
1. Social, political, economic and legal empowerment of women, including reducing violence and discriminations against women, girls and children. The situation of women and girl living in the Rohingya camps will also be considered.
2. Ensure rights and dignity of marginalised and excluded people (Dalits, Persons with disabilities, sex workers, old-age people and people living in the fringe of society etc.).
3. Promote and protecting rights of all minorities, including ethnic, religious sexual, and linguistic.
4. Promote descent and safe work culture and environment for workers both male and female (migrant, formal and non-formal sector)
5. Strengthen public institutions; including transparent and accountable quality public services for all specially the marginalised.
6. Reduce and stop child labour and protect vulnerable children from hazardous work, sexual abuse and online threats such as pornography.
7. Address alienation of youths through building skills that meet market demand, encourage responsible citizenship, support economic empowerment assist them to stay away from anti-social activities such as drug abuse, radicalisation etc.
8. Building community resilience for green economy to offset climate-induced risks and vulnerabilities.

Support people’s movements, network and coalitions and advocate for law reform and policies that will protect and promote rights of marginalised groups.

Our History

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) is one of the largest national grant making organisations in Bangladesh disbursing funds and capacity building support for human rights and governance work within the country. With massive experiences of handling partnership with more than two hundred PNGOs for the last 17 years, MJF has been striving to build capacities of poor and marginalised people in Bangladesh to demand basic services and raise voice against rights violation. MJF also works with public institutions to ensure their responsiveness towards marginalised people. Policy advocacy is another feature of MJF’s work and it has been directly involved in some of the most progressive and pro-poor laws and policies enacted over the last 10 years in Bangladesh.

Established in 2002 as a non-government and non-profit organisation, MJF is dedicated to mainstreaming gender and disability in its operation within the country in terms of participation, capacity and programmatic focus.

MJF programmes are conceptually and strategically consistent with the relevant provisions of the Constitution of Bangladesh, as well as Perspective Plan 2011-2021: Making Vision 2021 a Reality; the National Integrity Strategy (2012); the Seventh Five Year Plan (2016-2020); and the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. To that extent MJF considers itself a partner of the Government and other stakeholders working to ensure human rights and promote good governance.

MJF enjoys consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations since 2017.

Goals

Transform MJF into a sustainable Foundation, recognised for achieving social transformation of vulnerable groups through rights and governance works.

Core principles

• Inclusiveness and Equality
• Respect for Diversity
• Transparency and Accountability
• Gender Sensitivity

Sources of Fund