NARIPOKKHO

Context

Naripokkho (NP) is a membership-based, women's activist organisation working for the advancement of women’s rights and entitlements and building resistance against violence, discrimination and injustice. Since its founding in 1983, Naripokkho has conducted numerous activities related to Violence Against Women (VAW) in Bangladesh, which include campaigns, cultural events, training, research, lobbying and advocacy. Naripokkho' s recent projects are Monitoring State Interventions to Combat Violence against Women, which involves regular monitoring of police stations, hospitals & courts and the third phase of Women Friendly Hospital Initiative, which involves the operationalisation of a protocol for management of VAW cases in government hospitals.We are working with Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights (SRHR) at community level. Monitoring government health care facilities and increase accountability of service providers are key components of our work and monitoring, CBO partners do advocacy and lobbing with local relevant authorities for potential solution of the existing problems and for further betterment of services provided from the hospitals or centres. 

Website:

Area of Work:
Bangladesh

Contact Person:
Samia Afrin

Approaches to implementing Community monitoring/accountability

On the design of monitoring framework for implementation of the DV Act in Bangladesh continuous feed back by NP on the proxy indicators, best methodology to track progress, and tools and field guides for the methodology developed by Amaltas will be given. This feedback will be provided based on consultations with Evaluation experts. A short term Consultant with appropriate knowledge and experience will be hired to advise and assist in the feedback process.

Results and lessons

It is easier to ensure accountability of service providers by engaging public representatives and local elite people

• Proper monitoring and accountability of the providers are essential for smooth implementation of the programme. During the emergency service delivery improved, especially providers’ timely attendance, cleanliness, etc.
  
• Local CBOs monitoring presence can improve the situation especially the attitude and behaviour of the providers.
  
• Media and local government can play an important role for improving services through regular observation, reporting and feedback.
  
• Upazila Health Management Committee can play a critical role for ensuring accountability and solving problems locally. The local MP who chairs this Committee has influence both with the local authority and the central government. An active MP can initiate necessary improvements and also initiate process for necessary reforms in the health sector.
  
• Participation in the process of claiming accountability of service providers can contribute to the empowerment of local communities and especially women. 
  
• Establishment of a national referral system will help rural women access emergency obstetric care.
  
• EmOC facilities are suffering due to the absence of anaesthetists and/or gynaecologists. There is a national shortage of anaesthetists and yet there is no initiative to accelerate the production of anaesthetists.