Background of Badhan Hijra Sangha
B iological distinction of human being is an universal truth around the world but there is another characteristic of people live beside the general characteristics of people those are deviated from the society and bearing unrecognized human life. The Transgender/Hijra peoples are surviving within a neglected status in terms of availing their rights, identity, less access in employment, social entitlement, economics activities and so on. They face tremendous discrimination, injustice and abuse by the various power people which is affecting their livelihood seriously. They are totally isolated from the general population and most of the Transgender peoples have no earning sources due to their social, religious, cultural restrictions and lack of the capacity of life management skills. They have existed within the social restriction regarding their mobility, no voting rights as third gender. To address those extreme vulnerable situations a group of young, energetic, dynamic local Hijra sex workers established the Badhan Hijra Sangha (BHS) in 2001 by the support of Care Bangladesh.
BHS started working as a grass root Community Based Organization (CBO) to mobilize the transgender/Hijra community for establishing their identity as Third Gender. BHS is the only CBO which is organized and implemented by the transgender people. The organization obtained legal status from the Department of Social Welfare Services, Ministry of Social welfare of Bangladesh. The BHS Registration number is: Dha- 07462 date October 2003. BHS aims in advancing the disadvantaged Hijra (transgender) community through ensuring their human rights, building self-esteem, increasing mutual respect, developing skills and capacity to address their felt needs that includes health care, shelter, sanitation, education and increasing access to the existing state services as the other do.
BHS mainly is straggling on the areas of creating awareness among Transgender ( Hijra ) community about their general and sexual health; establish Basic human rights, civic rights, and social rights; networking with national, international GO/NGO /institutions; provide legal supports, protect violence and trafficking, advocacy with different level of stakeholders, provide skill development training for alternative livelihood options, establish good governess and practicing democratic norms, group dynamics, take initiative to stop physical violence and reduce economical discrimination.
Mission
Vision
Goal
Objective
- To establish human rights of hijras.
- To protect violence against hijras.
- Building networks/alliances.
- Advocacy with national/local level policy makers, lawmakers, political leaders, opinion leaders, religious leaders, professional ledgers, media persons on issues related to objective.
- To establish recognition of hijras as third gender population.
- To arrange skill development training for alternative livelihood options.
- To address felt needs of hijra population: Shelter, Sanitation, Adult education, Health care & Treatment facilities, and other perceive needs.
- To organize improvement of general health, sexual health, and prevent HIV/AIDS, provide support and care for HIV positive people among hijra population.
- To establish good governess and practicing democratic norms.
Our network
- Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism(APRCEM): focal person of LGBT, and LGBT constituency.
- Sex Workers Network (SWN), Bangladesh: Member.
- National STD/AIDS Network, Bangladesh: Member.
- South Asian Human Rights Association of Marginalised Sexualities and Genders (SAHRA).
- Bangladesh Country Coordinating Mechanism (BCCM): Alternative Member.
Future Plan
- Start Income Generation Activities (IGA) among Members and Beneficiaries level.
- Extend working area and increase beneficiaries across the country.
- Expand collaboration with like-minded organization and donor for fund rising.
Ongoing projects
- Continuation of the prioritized HIV Prevention Service among key Population in Bangladesh, NFM Project/ Global Fund )
Ongoing activities
- Major objectives of the program were create a supportive environment for STI and HIV prevention through social mobilization.
- Promote risk elimination and reduction.
- Provide VCT and counseling services & VCT services.
- Create awareness for TB diagnosis.
- Strengthen referral network and increase knowledge.
- Behavior change communication through Peer education.
- One to one & group education session.
- Condom promotion.
- STI & general health service including referral.
- TB Sputum collection & referral service.
- Training on advocacy and human rights & Gender & HIV AIDS.
- Networking with different GO/NGO and stake holders and formed alliance with like-minded organization and alternative life skill training for the transgender community were the focused services under this project.
- Orientation Session with Local Elites, Ward Commissioner, House Owner, Imam, Journalist, Pharmacy, Shopkeepers, Teacher on Social and Legal Rights of Transgender and HIV AIDS.
- Observed related Days like World AIDS Day, Human Rights Day, Dignity Day etc.