The Role of Non-formal Education of NGOs to Combat Violence Against Women: A Study on Two NGOs in Rajshahi Distric

Abstract

At present violence against women is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh like other developing countries and this problem is gradually increasing. Consequently along with the traditional institutions many voluntary organizations are trying to mitigate this problem through awareness building activities and non-formal education program. But the actual status of violence and the role of NGOs in mitigating the social problems like violence against women are not clearly presented in the existing literatures. Nevertheless, without clear perception, no hazard could be minimized properly. Subsequently, this study has been conducted with the view to analyze the role of NGOs in increasing the awareness of women to combat violence against women through non-formal education. In order to get the basic information about the above mentioned field of study, three most common methods have been applied in this research like social survey, observation and case study. The collected primary and secondary data have been analyzed and presented in seven chapters. In chapter one, the introductory issues, conceptual framework and literature review have been presented. The methodological aspects have been presented in chapter two. However, the identity, the functional and ideal aspects of the selected voluntary organization have been presented in chapter three. Nevertheless, some core ideas and findings of the study have been incorporated in chapter four and five respectively. Along with the above issues, the existing legal measure of mitigating violence against women and some laws related to women, their social rights have been included in chapter six. Finally, the summary of the findings, such as nature and types of violence, causes of violence against women and role of NGOs in strengthening conscious level of women and increasing their protection and perception toward themselves from violence etc. have been presented in chapter seven, where the researcher found rural women are most vulnerable group of people in Bangladesh and they have to face various types of violence in different stages of their life. For example, the women are victims of discrimination, deprivation and oppression in all spheres of life. In chapter four, a measurable scenario of violence against women has been found from the secondary source, where irrespective of age, sex and socio-cultural class, violence against women becomes a common phenomenon. Similarly, in chapter five, where the most of the field data show that, without any hesitation, male members are continuously committing violence against women in various forms, but some GOs and NGOs efforts are existing to stop some violence, but the traditional practice is still very common among the male dominating societies. Subsequently, in chapter six some constitutional and legal measures have been incorporated for getting the context and content of legal provision for vulnerable women of Bangladesh, where inadequacy of legal measures is clearly observed. Consequently, the nature and the form of violence against women are still in alarming stage and on the basis of the above observations, a good number of suggestions and recommendations have been incorporated in the concluding chapter. However, NGOs are playing a significant role in reducing violence against women by increasing the conscious level. Nevertheless, this single study is not enough for clearly releasing so many crucial issues relating to violence against women and the causes of violence, role of NGOs in increasing and strengthening awareness building capacity among the women. Thus more comprehensive and rigorous studies are essential in the lights of the findings of this study.