MJF Covid-19 Responses in September 2020

During September 2020, MJF continued its online advocacy efforts demanding effective measures by the Government and relevant agencies to prevent domestic violence against women and children during Corona situation. This e-newsletter highlights some of the activities undertaken during September
2020.

MJF provides cash transfer support to 23,000 Covid-19 affected poor and marginalised households

(MJF) begun distributing cash assistance to some 23,000 Covid-19 affected marginalised households in 38 districts through a three-month emergency cash transfer initiative, under the Excluded People’s Rights in Bangladesh (EPR) Programme, supported by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

In the first phase beginning 17 September, MJF begun distributing 57.5 million Taka to 23,000 marginalised households in 38 priority districts which have high concentration of marginalised and excluded people in poverty prone locations. Those households, left out of social safety-net coverage, were selected on priority basis for this cash support of MJF.  The beneficiaries were selected through a multi-tier selection process involving local administration, community leaders and youth volunteers of MJF’s 58 partner NGOs. For more, please visit here:

RTI Forum urges the Government to enhance research collaboration on access to information

RTI Forum Bangladesh on 29 September urged the government to form research group involving academics, practitioners and activists to enhance research collaboration on access to information issues both at national and international level.

‘After passing of one decade of Right to Information Act in Bangladesh, it is imperative that RTI knowledge-base is enhanced to promote accountable governance in the country through effective implementation of the Act’, speakers said during a webinar organized by RTI Forum Bangladesh. Details here:

RTI Forum calls for accelerated actions
to empower people with information

Right to Information Forum Bangladesh on 27 September called upon the government to accelerate actions at every levels involving all stakeholders to fulfil the true spirit of the RTI Act 2009 for improving governance situation in the country.

In a statement issued on the eve of Right to Know Day on 28 September, which will also be observed globally as International Day for Universal Access to Information, RTI Forum said the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated that right to information strengthens access to health, education, ensure justice and contribute towards reducing inequalities. For more:

Initiative needed to protect fishing community

The 65-day ban on fishing has increased fish resources in the Bay of Bengal. But the socioeconomic condition of the fishermen suffers during the ban. Many do not receive the assistance provided by the government. So attention must be paid to the living standards of the fishermen while boosting fish resources in the bay. The fund created for the fishermen in this connection must be increased.

These observations were made on 7 September at the virtual roundtable on ’65-day ban: State of fishermen during corona times and future plans’. The roundtable was organised by Prothom Alo and Manusher Jonno Foundation. For details:

Due to the 65-day ban on fishing and corona, coastal fishermen have suffered huge economic losses

Coastal fishermen have suffered huge economic losses due to a 65-day ban on fishing and a general holiday during the Corona. Not being able to fish for a long time, their loss has increased many times compared to last year. MJF revealed this through a telephone survey to quickly analyze the situation under the Sustainable Ocean project, supported by the Danish Institute for Human Rights. For details:

Online Advocacy

On 20^th September, Banasree Mitra, Gender Advisor of MJF attended a webinar titled the “Gender Based Violence, and Mental Health”. She spoke on the topic of violence and mental health within the working class women.

“When we are talking about mental health and violence for the women, you cannot classify them; there are no classes. 80% of the women in our country have been victims of violence in their homes. Every woman has faced violence in their lives, irrespective of their classes.”

On 17 September, CUDS-MJF jointly organized a debate on the issue on unpaid domestic and care work and the importance of including it in GDP, attended by senior academics of Chittagong University and MJF.

Media Advocacy