YWCA of Bangladesh

annual report
July 2008 - June 2009
Contents
National President's Statement 04
From the Desk of National General Secretary 05
Executive Summary 07

Chapter 01
YWCA AT A GLANCE 09

Chapter 02
MEMBERSHIP AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT 11

Chapter 03
EDUCATION 17

Chapter 04
HEALTH & HYGIENE
23
Chapter 05
WOMEN'S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 31

Chapter 06
WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND SOCIAL SECURITY 35

Chapter 07
CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS 39

Chapter 08
CAPACITY BUILDING 41

Chapter 09
ORGANIZATIONAL REVENUE GENERATION 45

Chapter 10
SPECIAL PROGRAM & EVENT 47

Chapter 11
CONCLUSION 53
National President's
Statement

Assembling efforts collectively

Accelerating development to sustain

For YWCA of Bangladesh, 2008-09 is marked as an important milestone. This year will certainly be recorded as one
in which we not only set a string of strenuous targets, but one in which we managed to execute more than YWCA of
Bangladesh thought possible.

Over the years, the YWCA has been orchestrating different development programs and projects capitalizing on a
membership movement to work for peace and justice for all irrespective of caste, creed and religion in Bangladesh.
We have been always striving to be on the track for scaling up development assistance catering to the target groups.
Relying on this continuity, YWCA of Bangladesh has been catalyzing in socio-economic development focused around
mostly two areas: poverty reduction and women empowerment.

Since its initiation in 1961, YWCA of Bangladesh has been working both at the grass root level to help build
communities' capacities for overarching social change and as a pioneer in development thinking. If community people
afflicted by lack of access to education, general health care and productive resources are not well-equipped with
necessary life skills, it is very difficult to equip them innovate sustainable solutions of their own problems. YWCA of
Bangladesh believes in this philosophy firmly and profoundly.

Despite facing different constraints over the last years like 2008-09, YWCA of Bangladesh continued to make an
important contribution to producing optimum social benefits, working increasingly closely with the community people to
steer their own development. Surmounting all the hostility and difficulties, its programmatic achievement was up to the
mark during this reporting period. There was a synergy in our action which made us take advantage of performing in
partnerships with the target groups and create concrete improvement in the lives of those who need and deserve our
strong support.

To bring the underprivileged people into mainstream of development, YWCA of Bangladesh focuses on defending
human rights as a strategy. It is sailing ahead constantly to reduce development disparities working in a very practical
way. In addition to this, the disadvantaged people especially the women are being geared up in the intervention areas
for playing leadership role and building social network to gain control of their lives and fulfill their potential.
Consequently, they are on the path of transforming the vicious circle of deprivation into the virtuous circle of rising
income, improved health, better education and greater participation in their communities' and nation's growth.

There is no noble endeavor than the fight for human dignity and sustainable development. As the National President
of YWCA of Bangladesh, I am proud to work for an organization committed to putting these ideals into practice.

Being aware of and acknowledging our real improvements and progress in 2008-09, we know we have much more still
to do to meet our shared goals of a better, safer and more prosperous society. For the betterment of the hearts and
minds of the maximum people living with drastic poverty in Bangladesh, YWCA of Bangladesh will maintain its
continuation to play a pivotal role as a development partner in helping shift the development dream from rhetoric to
reality.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and felicitations especially to the world YWCA, donor partners, network
bodies, members of local and national board of management, general members, staff and last but not the least the
reference groups. I also would like to commemorate with deep gratitude all of those who were and presently are
involved with their passions and dedications in translating the YWCA's activities into the success story that it is today.

Dr. Nelly Saha

4
 From the Desk of
National General Secretary

Bridging aspiration and action

Optimizing success

Capitalizing on the awareness of women empowerment for doubling the development in quality and quantity, YWCA
of Bangladesh comprising the 13 local YWCAs is continually grappling with challenges to contribute to establishing a
strong and equitable society. Through providing training, technical know how and other social & financial assistances,
it has been helping the disadvantaged community people to graduate out of extreme poverty - a chronic deprivation of
resources, capabilities, power, choice and security. Their inner beings are being stimulated through different knowledge
management and awareness building activities for achieving a higher degree of self reliance.

In spite of the distinguished history of our organization and its dynamic role and wealth of experience across the
different parts of Bangladesh, we are facing several development impediments. Nonetheless, we have become known
as a thriving gateway for change, deploying our unique assets smartly; as a repository of development knowledge and
best practices as well as a catalyst in community-centered development.

This Report highlights the relevance of our work and the critical importance of its agendas, both in terms of YWCA's
programmatic work and in our coordinating role. It outlines how YWCA of Bangladesh is focusing its supports in the
four key areas of poverty reduction i.e. quality education, health & nutrition initiatives, livelihood development and
women empowerment. Through these development activities, YWCA remains committed to supporting communities in
their efforts to build a better Bangladesh.

In the course of leading our journey ahead, we are eagerly grateful to the God Almighty for His endless blessings that
enabled us to navigate our mission towards the well-being of the deprived, destitute and neglected people. The
enthusiasm and tireless endeavors from all staff of YWCA of Bangladesh were the main sources of high watermark
success in the reporting year 2008-09. They continued to achieve the desired outcome in line with the well-defined plan
set through demand-driven approach. Our esteemed stakeholders notably development partners, members,
volunteers, community people and donors provided us valuable financial, ethical and timely backing in materializing
the field-based activities in full sense.

I am passionately acknowledging the essential contribution of the Board of Management that their guidance, advice
and direction are forwarding our steps towards sustainable prosperity. YWCA of Bangladesh keeps up the vision to
maintain and reinforce the hard-earned images of a centre of excellence with an even more devoted effort for the
collective and aspired future with all concerned.

I hope that the publication of this Annual Report will be of a great source for the potential readers, researchers and
different stakeholders to know about the community based performances, achievements and philanthropic philosophy
of YWCA as a whole.

Joyce Mormita Das

5_YWCA annual report 08-09

Executive
Summary

Developing human
resources
Stepping towards
development for all

With a view to building resilience for disadvantaged community

people especially the destitute women, YWCA of Bangladesh
has been setting the pace of progress for them to get the
gateway towards peace and prosperity over the years. It helps
them assemble existing life skills to enhance the scope of their
prospective livelihood and attain decent standard of living.

YWCA of Bangladesh is scaling up supports in a big way for its

target groups to address the social problems at its core on the
basis of priority. It stimulates their inner beings that they are able
to solve their own problems with their innovation and creativity.
Counting on the vision of self-sustaining development, it has been
making the community people play a catalytic role in ending
widespread poverty and hunger associated with ignorance,
illiteracy, ill-heath, malnutrition, lacking of life skill and so forth.

Human resource development is the very practical and

overarching way for easing vulnerability to impoverishment. The
tragic reality is that poverty is a life-threatening fact for most of
the people in our country. Unlocking this poverty trap through
human resource development is the key for pro-poor economic
growth. Bearing at the very heart of the development goals,
YWCA of Bangladesh is striving to explore the compass of
human resource development all along.

As an effective driver of development, YWCA's distinctive

commitment is building capacity of grassroots people through
supporting and implementing demand driven programs
and activities like Youth Development, Quality Education,
Adolescent Development, Health and Hygiene, Women's
Economic Empowerment, Women's Rights and Social
Security, Environment & Cultural Development, Social
Mobilization, Capacity Development, Behavior Change
Communication and so on. And doing so with pragmatic
avenues and approaches, it puts human rights at the
forefront of all efforts. Side by side, it gives the
community people the tools they need to bring about
desired changes in their lives. YWCA of Bangladesh is
right now on the front lines of endeavors to step forward
for fostering empowerment, ownership and participation
for those afflicted by poverty, destitution and exclusion. It
is very much dedicated to bolstering core strength to
advance pro-poor and inclusive growth.
There is no option of responding to local priorities
properly for ensuing sustainable development. So,
YWCA of Bangladesh continued to back development
efforts through forming promising platforms of
stakeholders in down-to-earth method in the last years
like 2008-09. It made the target groups identify
development priorities and devise plans to work on them.
Successively, a social and human capital generation
result was maximized in the intervention areas during the
reporting year. In addition to this, cohesive action and
effective coordination role to manage sustainable and
equitable development paths for the community people
has been enhanced and ensured.
There is no doubt that education is an essential and
staple precondition for social justice, development and
peace. YWCA of Bangladesh is continuously making the
benighted community people fight against illiteracy and
ignorance that they are able to be enlightened for being
linked with far-sighted view. Under education program, it
is offering the services divided into two segments, like
free schools and pay schools. To create opportunities for
the deprived children to have access to education as a
basic amenity, YWCA of Bangladesh set about free
school program in 1984 with 75 students. With the
passage of time, during the reporting period students of
free schools enrolled were 1873. On the other hand,
YWCA of Bangladesh is operating nursery schools in 14
operation areas. And nowadays the number of enrolled
students is 10,603 in total.
Sound health is wealth for all and cornerstone of
sustainable development. So, with its programmatic
8
capacity, the health program of YWCA of Bangladesh is
providing services at community level catering to the
target groups. During the reporting period, more than
27,000 people were brought under this program. The
noteworthy health services were reducing maternal and
child mortality, awareness building on water-sanitation
and nutrition, growth monitoring, reproductive health
literacy, ensuring ANC (antenatal care) and PNC
(postnatal care), immunization, increasing functional
knowledge on STD/HIV/AIDS, counseling on exclusive
breast feeding, family planning, breast cancer, changing
women's behavior through awareness building and so
on.
With the mission of yielding opportunity for ending the
cycle of poverty, YWCA of Bangladesh is providing
microfinance oriented services to its target groups. In
2008-09, YWCA of Bangladesh mobilized 20,285
members. The total amount of savings amounted as of
June 2009 is Taka 46,610,765. The total loan disbursed
was taka 80,734,062. The amount recovered was TK.
58,655,121. The loan recovery rate was around 93.25%.
Leadership development is one of the key preconditions
for developing life-skill of the target groups and the other
respective stakeholders. In this reporting period, YWCA
of Bangladesh organized several and demandable
leadership development and skill development activities
for its staff, beneficiaries, reference groups and
volunteers through initiating trainings, workshops,
orientations, colloquiums, seminars, exchange visits as
well as making scopes for attending different
international programs abroad.
Over the last year 2008-09, YWCA of Bangladesh
realised very practically that the very balance and
integration between the need-based social assistance
and effective community resource mobilizations
embodying life-skill development activities for the target
groups enhance the effectiveness of social development
programs on a great scale. In order to create and bolster
organizational capacity as well as ensure adequate and
optimum quality services, it will rely on the lessons
learned during the reporting period 2008-09 for
maintaining the consecutiveness and expansion of
development initiatives in future.
YWCA AT A
World YWCA
The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is a global

GLANCE
network of women leading social and economic change in 125
countries worldwide. It advocates for peace, justice, health,
human dignity, freedom and care of the environment, and has
been at the forefront of raising the status of women since it was
founded in 1894. The World YWCA develops women's
leadership to find local solutions to the global inequalities
women face. Each year, it reaches more than 25 million women
and girls through work in 22,000 communities. This grassroots
development experience shapes the organization's global
advocacy agenda. YWCA work is inspired by Christian
principles and a commitment to women's full and equal
participation in society. It is a volunteer membership movement,
inclusive of women from many faiths, backgrounds and cultures.

YWCA of Bangladesh
The YWCA came into being in this part of the world in the year
1961 as a branch of Pakistan YWCA. After emergence of
Bangladesh in 1971, YWCA of Bangladesh was rejuvenated
with an independent movement in an independent country and
Caring for collective ensured its resourceful existence phenomenally in the world.
development The YWCA of Bangladesh got affiliated with World YWCA in the

Aspiring for
year of 1979. And since then has been an active partner in
establishing peace, justice and human dignity - supplementing
sustainable future Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a whole.
 List of Local YWCAs Objectives:
Affiliated to X The YWCA of Bangladesh seeks to organize,
YWCA Formed
National YWCA develop and unite local associations, which
Dhaka 1961 1979 subscribe to its above-mentioned organizational
basis, and endeavors to promote the full
Barisal 1972 1979
development of women and young girls irrespective
Chittagong 1973 1979 of race, culture and creed. It seeks to develop a
Pabna 1979 1980 membership that is responsive to the changing
Comilla 1979 1981 needs of the whole community in a changing world.
Khulna 1981 1983
X The YWCA of Bangladesh and its member
Birisiri 1982 1986 associations are non-profit making organizations
Chandpur 1985 1988 desiring to improve the quality of life for women, girls
Gopalganj 1990 1995 and children, regardless of faith, of the most destitute
classes through education, awareness building, skill
Dinajpur 1990 1995
training and or employment.
Jessore 1995 2000
Khagrachhari 1997 2000 Key programs and activities of the YWCA of
Savar 2004 2009 Bangladesh:
X MEMBERSHIP & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Embrace New Members, Leadership Building of
With an attendance of 27 members in the year of 1961 Women & Youths; Spiritual, Intellectual, Social &
the YWCA of Bangladesh now has 2003 members and Physical Welfare of the Members
759 staff. It is executing multi dimentional pro-poor and
X EDUCATION PROGRAM
development oriented programs and projects at
Formal - Nursery, Primary & Girls High Schools, Free
community level ensuring services to more than 75,000 Schools; Non-formal - Adolescent Development
women, young girls and children in commission with 13 Program, Functional Literacy
local branches spreading over 12 districts of the country.
Since the beginning, the YWCA has been contributing to X WOMEN'S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM
empowering women and changing lives of especially the Savings Program, Credit Program, Skill Trainings,
marginalized women, girls and children irrespective of Income-generating Activities, Awareness Raising
caste, creed and religion. Programs
X HEALTH & HYGEINE PROGRAM
Organizational basis: The organizational basis of Health Education, Immunization, Maternal and Child
YWCA of Bangladesh is "Faith in God, the Father Health Care, Clean Water & Sanitation, Motivation
Almighty; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord and for Family Planning, Medical Services etc.
Savior; and in the Holy Spirit.”
X WOMEN'S RIGHTS & SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM
Advocacy on Women's Rights Issues, Counseling,
Motto: By love serve one another. Legal Aid and Awareness Building

Vision: An inclusive society free from economic and X ENVIRONMENT & CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
humane poverty and injustice; where people, particularly
Awareness Raising on Conservation and
the women, irrespective of caste, creed and faith, are
Sustainable Usage of Natural Recourses, Capacitate
enjoying equal rights and nurturing their own culture in
People on Disaster Preparedness.
favourable natural and social environment.
X CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM
Mission: The Young Women's Christian Association of Need-based Training and Workshops and Exposure
Bangladesh (YWCA), an affiliated association of the Visits for Staff and Volunteers.
World YWCA, strives for a just, equitable, tolerant, X ORGANIZATIONAL REVENUE GENERATION
peaceful, harmonious and sustainable society through PROGRAM
developing and empowering the marginalised and Jute Crafts, Food Production, Sewing, Embroidery,
disadvantaged section of the society, especially women Integrated Agricultural Program, Guest House &
and young girls; improving their quality of life, unfolding Training Centre, Sales Centers and Short Courses
their latent talents, restoring their dignity and self-
X SPECIAL PROGRAMS
confidence, and preserving and promoting traditional Youth Hostel, Day Care Centre for Children and Sr.
culture and environment. Citizen's Home

10
MEMBERSHIP Membership
The membership of YWCA of Bangladesh tailored to the timely
and comprehensive mission of unlocking the value of neglected

AND YOUTH human resources and empowering women in true sense. The
membership is open to any women or girl who desires to be
associated with the world wide fellowship of the YWCA. She

DEVELOPMENT should have sympathy with the core aim of YWCA and will be
committed to its vision and activities as well. Starting with 27
members in 1961, YWCA now has a total of 2003 members.

Membership Status as per Local Associations

YWCA 2006-07 2007-08 2008-2009
Dhaka 647 714 778
Barisal 121 124 139
Chittagong 133 141 151
Pabna 87 92 77
Comilla 112 122 121
Khulna 131 155 161
Birisiri 113 113 127
Chandpur 108 113 117
Gopalganj 99 83 102
Coping with Dinajpur 62 53 47

challenges Jessore 54 62 67
Khagrachari 85 85 56
Teaming up towards Savar 39 60 60
prosperity & hope Total 1791 1917 2003

The membership of YWCA is available under the
following category-
Any woman of sixteen years of age or over being
possessed of a great sympathy with the Purpose and
Functions of the YWCA may, on payment of the requisite
dues, become a Member.
To be affiliated with YWCA of Bangladesh, any local
association has to maintain and fulfill some well-defined
conditions set forth below:
X Every Association shall signify in writing its
acceptance of the Constitution of the YWCA of
Bangladesh.
X Every Association shall file an official, dated copy of
its constitution and Bye-laws with the National
Board, and secure its approval for proposed
amendments to it.
X Every Association shall confirm to requirements set
forth below and include them in its constitution.
i. The basis of YWCA of Bangladesh must be quoted in
full in the Constitution of affiliated Associations.
ii. Every Association shall embody in its Constitution the
following statement of Aim:
a) To bring women and girls into a worldwide
Christian fellowship
b) To provide opportunities for the growth of the
spiritual, intellectual, social and physical welfare
of women and girls
c) To train and to provide women and girls with
opportunities of service
d) To make women and girls aware of their own
situation and help to change and develop their
situation.
X Every association shall pay annually a share of the
expense of the National Association in accordance
with a plan adopted by the National Assembly.
12
X Every Association shall send to the National Board
Progress Reports of its work, the Annual Report and
audited financial statement.
X Every Association shall appoint its own General
Secretary whose appointment will be ratified by the
National Board.
X Every Association shall use the approved
membership form prepared by the National YWCA for
the enrolment of members.
Women's leadership is essential in finding sustainable
solutions to global problems and injustices. YWCA invests
significantly on the development of its members and
organizes various capacity building activities under the
stewardship of life skill development programs through out
the year. The strategies YWCA follows in order attaining
the above are;
X Developing cohesion among members through
regular membership programs
X Arranging entertainment functions for the members,
X Providing scopes for women leadership development
through arrangement of issue based training,
workshops, seminars etc.
X Organizing programs at home and abroad,
X Maintaining contact with the members and exchange
of information;
X Ensuring active participation in the organization's
decision making process
X Creating scope of employment opportunity for
members.
Youth Development Program
Through the lens of comprehensive development, youth
development is multidimensional, comprising a process
of human growth & development, a philosophical
orientation to social & community development as well as
a programmatic framework for youth services. YWCA of
Bangladesh feels that it is very much necessary for youth
i.e. young adults to acquire the following skills, abilities
and competencies required to navigate their life -
I. Social competencies: like family life skills, problem-
solving skills, communication skills
II. Moral competencies: like a sense of responsibility
and citizenship (including participation in
community service that is to say development
activity)
III. Emotional competencies: like a sense o f
personal identity, self-confidence
IV. Physical competencies: like lifelong physical health
& fitness
V. Cognitive competencies: like knowledge,
reasoning ability, creativity.
From the starting days, YWCA of Bangladesh is
conducting youth development program to prepare
young people to meet the challenges of adulthood
through a structured, progressive series of activities and
experiences which help them obtain social, emotional,
ethical, physical, and cognitive competencies. To stop
young people from engaging in risky behaviors, it aims to
mobilize communities to create positive goals and
outcomes for the youth. The overall objectives of YWCA's
youth activities are:
X To provide training and exchanged knowledge to the
youth member to develop their leadership skill and
expertise
X To encourage and provide support to strengthen youth
activities as well as to attract active and committed
youths for increasing the number of youth
X To strengthen youth network & partnership with other
youth organization
X To ensure 25% of representation at the Executive
Boards of YWCAs in Bangladesh.
Under this partnership, 10 member of Buskerud
YWCA of Bangladesh carried out the following programs YW/YMCA and two members from Norwegian Children
for the development of youth members in the reporting and Youth Council visited YWCA of Bangladesh from 27th
period: September - 06 October 2008. During their visit, they have
visited Dhaka YWCA and Pabna YWCA. They have also
Visit of Youth team from Buskerud YW/YMCA participated in Mini- Tensing Seminar and in the Girl's
Seminar 2008 which was organized by the Bangladesh
YWCA of Bangladesh is having a dynamic partnership with
YWCA.
the Buskerud YW/YMCA of Norway for ten years. The
tensing activities in Bangladesh is mostly carried out with
Dhaka YWCA visit: The Buskerud group visited the
the support of this partnership which helps to develop
different programs of Dhaka YWCA from 27 - 28th
leadership skills of young people both in Norway and in
September, such as: YWCA free primary school, craft
Bangladesh. This partnership also facilitates an Youth
centre, office etc. They also met the youth members of
Exchange Program between this two countries.

13_YWCA annual report 08-09

Dhaka YWCA and talked about possible partnership
between Dramen YMCA and YWCA of Dhaka. They also
visited the senior citizens home of Dhaka YWCA in
Savar.
To know more and learn about the YWCA programs, the
Buskerud Group visited Pabna YWCA from 30th
September - 1st October 2008. During their visit, they
X Visited Community Health Group and Micro-credit
program and learned about the contribution of
YWCA to improve their skill and capacity that helped
them to improve their livelihood skill and capacity.
X Met the local weaver and visited their work.
X Met the local board members and youth members
and enjoyed a cultural program performed by youth
members.
Mini- Ten Sing Seminar
From 28th September until 29th September 2008, the
Mini Ten Sing seminar was organised by Dhaka YWCA.
There were altogether 55 participants participated in this
seminar including participants from Norway, local
YWCAs of Dhaka and the youth groups of different
Churches in Dhaka. Majority of the participants were in
between the age group of thirteen to nineteen. The aims
of this seminar were to strengthen the local to National
partnership between Norway YWCA-YMCA and
Bangladesh YWCA, to encourage the teenagers with the
light of Gospel and love of Jesus Christ, to establish a
mechanism for cultural exchange and to develop
leadership skills among the teenagers and youths.
Particularly the seminar was very much significant for the
youth of Dhaka YWCA as they were interested to form a
Ten Sing group in Dhaka with the cooperation of
14
Buskerud YWCA-YMCA and this seminar has given them
that exposure to know about Ten Sing.
Girl's Seminar 2008
With the theme of ' Unity in Diversity ", the YWCA of
Bangladesh organised Girls' Seminar '08 at Birisiri YWCA
from 2-4 October 2008 with the cooperation of Buskerud
YWCA/YMCA of Norway. A total of 96 participants from 13
local YWCAs & Buskerud YWCA/YMCA participated in
this seminar. The age group of the participants was
between fourteen to twenty five years. The objectives of
this seminar were: to increase knowledge and leadership
skills, to have an exposure to ethnic culture of Birisiri and
to enjoy the spirit of youth. The seminar allowed both
reflection upon serious things as well as being creative
and having a good time. Along with the particular session
on the theme, there were other different sessions: One
day classroom session on the theme including interactive
games, exposure to the natural beauty of Birisiri, Meena
bazaar, Cultural evening etc.
goCy Youth Exchange Program
From July 15th 2008- 30th April 2009, one youth member
from YWCA of Bangladesh took part in this goCY youth
Exchange program under the partnership with Y- Global
and Fredskorpset (an independent organization under the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Norway Government.).
Global Y in Norway is one of the primary partners of FK,
facilitates this partnership in order to contribute in
strengthening the youth leadership and organization
capacity building, promoting contact and cooperation
between people and organization in Global Y and in South
YW/YMCAs (Vanadzor, South Africa, Palestine,
Bangladesh) partners through this goCY Youth Exchange
Program. Under this program, YWCA of Bangladesh
hosted three Interns from Norway and South Africa.
Visiting Buskerud YWCA/YMCA by Youth Member of
YWCA of Bangaldesh '08 and 09
Under the partnership between YWCA of Bangladesh
and Buskerud YMCA/YWCA, 4 youth members were
invited by the Buskerud YW/YMCA to visit the youth
activities in YW/YMCA in Norway from 28th July till the
20th August 2008. The participants were: Andora Sarker
Ritu Dhaka YWCA; Elizabeth Lynette Gomes, Miriam
Adhikery from Chittagong YWCA and Mercyland Khokshi
from Birisiri YWCA. Under this same program, Yashika
Boyed and Sharleen Suberio Eugene from Chittagong
YWCA, Diana Meriline Chowdhury from Barisal YWCA,
Jessy Halder Mou from Gopalgonj YWCA, Khuki
Chowdhurani from Chandpur YWCA and Angela Paroma
Banik from Savar YWCA visited Buskerud YMCA/YWCA
from 4-30th June 2009. All of them visited the youth
activities of Buskerud YW/YMCA, participated in the
challenges courses, took part in the Y- Global Week,
Tensing Festivals and Fund Raising Programs.
Communication for Change Partnership
Communication for Change (CFC) was an exchange
program between Y- Global and the YWCA of
Bangladesh. This exchange program was funded by
Fredskorpset (FK). Under this partnership, two young
women : Annette Gjeterud and Carin Henriksen Schia
from Norway stayed with YWCA of Bangladesh from 15
September -13th December 2010 and learnt about the
country as well as about YWCA of Bangladesh and its
programs. The objectives of this program were to
improve youth leadership skill, strengthening the
organization through empowering youth leadership,
capacity building of the organization and building a
network among the partner organizations.
National Student & Youth Gathering (NSYG) 2009 on
Youth & student responding to Protect Environment by
Easy Net, Bangladesh
From June 11 - 15, 2009, EASYNet Bangladesh
organized National Student & Youth Gathering (NSYG)
2009 on “Youth & students responding to Protect
Environment” at the YMCA training centre in Savar
Dhaka. Five young women from YWCA of Bangladesh
participated in this training.
Youth development program in true sense is able to
provide a set of developmentally rich contexts where
relationships are formed, development can take place
safely and opportunities for growth in multiple areas can
be stimulated. With this point of view, YWCA of
Bangladesh has been providing young people necessary
supports, guidance and opportunities for making them
involved in the development activities through its holistic
youth development approach. It is very much committed
to expanding the scope of positive youth development
(PYD) by way of different kinds of interactive activities
like training, workshop, orientation, seminar, exchange
visit, idea sharing, cultural program and so on. In this
course, YWCA is promoting and complementing the
efforts of youth, adults, communities, government
agencies and educational institutions to provide
opportunities for youth to enhance their interests, skills
and abilities into their adulthoods. Thus it is creating
supportive communities for the young people and at the
same time, engaging youth to contribute to the well-being
of their larger community.
15_YWCA annual report 08-09
 Journey with YWCA
I am Julia Ruma Mollick, a student of Master in
Management, a youth member of YWCA of Dhaka
and also a member of the Board of Dhaka YWCA
and National Board of Management, YWCA of
Bangladesh.

My journey with YWCA started since May 2001 as a

Youth Member. Since then I got ample opportunities
to get involved with YWCA activities and to serve the
movement under different capacities.

In June 2007, I got a wonderful opportunity to attend

a three weeks Local-to-Local partnership program
with Norway YWCA-YMCA. The program included
Global week on Uvdal and Blestolen and TenSing
Festival in Gjovik. Many other young YWCA and
YMCA members from around the globe attended the
same events.

Days in Uvdal were full of activities like; cultural

shows, team building activities, challenge courses,
workshops etc. In all those events the main
discussion topic was women's role in our society and
ICY (Internationally Committed Youth). During
Teenagers Gathering in Gjovik we the Bangladeshi
participants organized events like Henna design to
raise funds for charitable work and other activities. We also had meetings with the Board, members and staff of
YWCA-YMCA and of Y-global in Oslo, to share and exchange our experiences and views. We also got the
opportunity to share about Bangladesh and YWCA activities in Bangladesh with youths from other parts of the
world.

The visit opened me a great opportunity to gather knowledge about a different community, their tradition, culture
and history. It was a breathing space to improve my skills in different ways. During three weeks time I was
engaged with them through various workshops, group discussions, games, prayer meetings, presentations,
open discussions, question answer seasons etc. The whole tour was quite a learning experience. The people,
their culture, devotion and commitment towards their work, gave me better understanding on what can be done
to become more productive in our society. I also got better understanding on organizing programs, required
skills and capacities of a leader, resolve conflict between team members, perform social activities, and develop
an organization with more determination. It also enlightened me on the process we should follow to develop our
skills for better outcomes.

I was elected the President of the Youth Committee of Dhaka YWCA for the period of June 2007-2009. Currently,
I am serving as Board Member of Dhaka YWCA Board of Management (2009 -2011) and also Youth Committee
Convener of National YWCA of Bangladesh (2009-1011). What I am today is truly an outcome of YWCAs efforts
towards developing youth leadership. My whole journey with YWCA has been an educating process. The
coaching provided by YWCA through various programs and events organized at home and abroad have been
unique and intense in their own way and are stepping stones for developing oneself a better human being.

16
EDUCATION
Education is one of the human basic rights that is important for
all. It is a socially transforming process that provides people
knowledge, skills, perspectives and values through which they
can participate in and contribute to their own well-being and that
of their community and nation. As a mandatory prerequisite for
social enhancement, it guides and motivates them to pursue
sustainable livelihoods, to build and participate in a knowledge
society and to live in a sustainable manner. But when we think it
is very much sorrowful for us that still now most of the people of
our country are deprived of quality education. Being afflicted by
the drastic consequences of illiteracy and ignorance, they are
being transformed into unbearable burden for the nation. As
unskilled and underdeveloped human resource, they are
contributing to the barrier to social, financial, political and
cultural development certainly undesired for us. Thinking over all
of these existing grave conditions very seriously, YWCA of
Bangladesh set up the priority of ensuring quality education
through its need based programs like Formal Education
comprising Pay School & Free School and Non-formal
Education embodying Functional Literacy & Adolescent
Development. It has been playing significant role in generating
access to education by and large for women and children from
disadvantaged communities all along.

Fighting ignorance
Pay School
Igniting knowledge to Realizing the fact that education is critical to any attempt to
be enlightened eradicate poverty, YWCA gave the outmost priority on
 Number of Students Enrolled in Nursery, Primary and Girl's High Schools
Name of the branch No. of students 2007 No. of students 2008 No. of students 2009
Dhaka 3,770 3793 3841
Chittagong 535 648 800
Pabna 332 364 430
Comilla 2,306 2337 2457
Barisal 850 895 842
Khulna 145 119 121
Chandpur 522 535 645
Birisiri 50 64 81
Jessore 87 99 121
Gopalganj 37 58 90
Khagrachari 125 176 199
Dinajpur 33 47 56
Savar - 50
National 594 769 870
Total 9,386 9,904 10,603

education. Since the beginning, YWCA has been very

sincere and caring in running its school program.
Shouldering this development commitment, it established
14 schools (pay schools) in its working areas. The
objective is to provide quality education, and unfold
spiritual, intellectual and creative abilities of the students.

These schools include children mostly from fair or

moderate earning families. The schools are well
equipped with modern education materials, and
adequate furniture and other facilities. Almost all the
YWCAs have adequate trained teachers to offer quality
education to the students. There is provision to update
teachers' skills through training at two years interval.
Provisions are also made to orient the teachers on
various contemporary issues, challenges to be faced and
coping capacities. As part of improving school
management, workshop, seminars are organized on a
regular basis for the staff/members concerned.

18
In addition to government prescribed curricula, suitable
additional curricula are followed for development of
faculties of the students. There are information and
communication facilities in most of the schools. There is
provision for sports and suitable entertainment for the
students. All the YWCA schools all over Bangladesh
follow similar curriculum. Besides, formal education
various other programs like art, dance and music classes
are organized for the students. To create a learning
atmosphere and enjoyable environment, most of the
schools arrange various programs like; science fair,
winter fair (Poush Mela), art competition, Bengali New
Year Day (Pohela Boishakh); observe various national
and international days like; Girl Child Day, World AIDS
Day, World Literacy Day, World Health Day, International
Mother Language Day, Victory Day, Independence Day
and so on.
YWCA deliberately gives special preferences for girl
students. In most of the YWCA schools, male and female
student enrollment ratio is 20:80. Boys are allowed to
study upto class two (in some schools upto the primary
level) only.
Free School
Poverty is one of the predominant factors for poor
education in Bangladesh. Poverty compels people to send
their children to go for earning. Many of them even get
engaged in hazardous jobs. Besides, there is none in the
family to help the young children prepare their lessons who
attend schools/ education centers because of motivation
by NGOs. Continuous unsatisfactory performance in
school makes them frustrated and at one stage they lose
interest in education. In this backdrop, with an aim to
create opportunities for the under privileged children to
have access to education, YWCA started free-school
program in 1984 with 75 students. At present, the total
number of the students of free schools is 1873. Most of
these students come from destitute and single parent
families. Many of them are working children. The free
schools are financed by the pay schools.
Enrollment Status of Free School Students
Name of the branch No. of students 2007
Dhaka 500
Chittagong 370
Pabna 106
Comilla 200
Barisal 201
Khulna 137
Chandpur 170
Dinajpur 33
Goplalganj - 27
Total 1717
The free schools ensure quality education for the
students. The curriculums used in pay schools are
followed to a great extent in the free schools. Special
sessions are taken for students who are comparatively
weak or do not have the environment at home to study.
In free schools, education is completely free of cost.
Children there are given uniforms, books and other study
materials. The free schools are upto class five. To
encourage and to help the students to continue further
education the best 20 students according to their scores
in the final exam of class five are selected and supported
with monthly stipend to study upto SSC level. Students
with outstanding results at the SSC level are further
supported to continue study at the HSC level and
beyond. Initiatives are also made to link students with
organizations who provide various skill development
programs like; welding, carpenter, motor mechanic etc.
and organizations those provide special scholarship for
hard to reach children and adolescents. YWCA also
arranges snacks for the students, which ranges from
bread, banana, hotchpotch etc.
Along with education the students are brought in special
classes like: music, dance, art etc. For the mental growth
of the students the schools arrange special events like;
sports day, art exhibition, science fair, parents day,
exposure, day out, cultural events etc. The children also
gets health care support. Regular health check-ups are
done for the students. Children with critical health
problems are referred to health centers.
YWCA makes special effort to organize the mothers of
the free school students. Each week special meetings
are arranged for the mothers where the community
workers talk about various social issues with them.
Mostly the discussions are on health issues, women
rights issues, child and mother health care etc. Gradually,
the mothers are organized in small savings group of 15-
20, where they start savings at least 50 taka per month.
After six months of regular savings they use it as
revolving credit among themselves.
No. of students 2008 No. of students 2009
465 482
422 436
112 108
160 197
140 174
93 149
175 235
32 32
60
1687 1873
19_YWCA annual report 08-09
Functional Literacy Program
Functional Literacy Program mostly demand driven and
comprehensive non-formal education in the frame of
uplifting social and professional status of the target
groups have four major objectives: (i) stimulating their
inner beings to build productive personality (ii) reorienting
existing education to pursue sustainable development,
(iii) developing social understanding & awareness and
(iv) training for bolstering professional knowledge & skill
according to the needs of society. So, Functional Literacy
Program of YWCA of Bangladesh is designed to focus on
reading, writing and ciphering as well as social
awareness that relates directly to livelihood development
and scaling up useful life skill. Under this program, the
beneficiaries gradually learn to read the newspaper, write
letters, figure accounts and develop skills necessary to
fulfill their expected roles in their households and
community. Girls, for example, may learn regarding
nutrition and handicrafts. Poor people also may learn
how to cope with existing social and financial shocks and
problems. This education program focuses on skills,
values and perspectives that encourage and support
public participation and community decision making as
well. With the passage of time, the beneficiaries with this
program are able to attain critical-thinking skills, skills to
organize and interpret data & information, skills to
formulate questions and the ability to analyze issues that
confront communities.

During the reporting period 2008-09, YWCA of

Bangladesh implemented functional literacy program
tried to create favorable conditions and facilities for
involving a continuum of learning in enabling individuals
sustaining their literacy quality and made them continue
to achieve their personal goals, develop their knowledge
to use reading, writing and calculation for their own and
& potential and to participate fully in the wider society. It
the community's development. The program has been

List of Functional Literacy Courses July 2008 to June 2009

Courses Completed On-going Courses
Sl. No. Name of YWCAs Total Groups
Total Group Total Learners Total Group Total Learners
01. Barisal YWCA 02 - - 02 -
02. Birisiri YWCA 02 01 18 01 20
03. Chandpur YWCA - - - - -
04. Chittagong YWCA 01 - 16 01 20
05. Comilla YWCA 01 - - 01 20
06 Dhaka YWCA 01 - - 01 20
07 Dinajpur YWCA 01 01 12 - -
08. Gopalgonj YWCA - - - - -
09. Jessore YWCA 01 - - 01 20
10. Khagrachari YWCA 02 02 28 - -
11. Khulna YWCA 04 02 23 02 40
12. Pabna YWCA 02 01 13 01 20
13. Savar YWCA - - - - -
TOTAL 16 08 110 08 160

20
operating literacy classes in eight local YWCAs. A
number of 15-20 women and young girls are usually
enrolled in each group for a six-month course. In 2008-
09, a total of 110 women successfully completed the six-
month courses and 160 women are in ongoing sessions.
This course is an effective means for women
empowerment. Almost 100% participants attended the
course were found to be able to read newspapers,
magazines, write letters and do simple calculations. The
curriculum not only includes reading and writing but also
provides information on health, child care, nutrition,
maternal health, women's rights, prevention of early
marriage, marriage registration, conflict resolution,
citizen's rights, environment, HIV/AIDS awareness etc. It
also creates a platform for the women to share their
stories, experiences and create opportunities to become
organized and take collective actions.
Majority of the newly-literates among the adults forget in
about six months most of whatever they have learnt due
to absence of practice of education and opportunity of
continuing education. Therefore, in order to retain their
reading habit, YWCA besides education distributes
fortnightly magazine "Roddur" especially designed for the
neo-literates.
Adolescent Development Program
YWCA of Bangladesh has been walking towards
ensuring brighter futures for disadvantaged adolescents.
Under the Adolescent Development Program, adolescent
girls are being provided with more opportunities to stand
tall through earning a position they deserve in their family
and community. During the normal maturation process in
the period of adolescence, some of the changes make
them anxious and fearful. At that time, they think that they
are very helpless. So taking seriously all of these
susceptibilities of adolescents to be isolated from their
families and society, Adolescent Development Program
is stimulating their inner beings to be aware of their
potential futures. In the regular sessions, adolescents are
being oriented on different social and life skill
development issues along with the real life education and
training. Mostly the program gives emphasis on gender
awareness, reproductive health literacy, prevention of
Adolescent Development Courses and Number of Girls Enrolled (July 2008 - June 2009)
Courses Completed
Sl. No. Name of YWCAs Total Groups
Total Group
1 Barisal YWCA 04 02
2 Birisiri YWCA 02 01
3 Comilla YWCA 01
5 Pabna YWCA 03 02
Total 10 05
early marriage & dowry, stopping child abuse, general
health care, water & sanitation, nutrition, tree plantation,
environment awareness and the list goes on related to
social welfare. They are inspired to take active
participation in different social actions, networking and
advocacy with their collective efforts for serving their
communities as well as some times to mobilize other
adolescents and peers.
Over the years, YWCA of Bangladesh has been
dedicating itself to enhancement and continuation of
successful adolescent development programs in various
dimensions. Creating and sustaining a friendly
environment consecutively for the adolescent girls, it is
maintaining its commitment to increasing the quality and
quantity of youth development efforts by providing a
series of need based supports. In these efforts to
promote additional high quality services for the
beneficiaries, Adolescent Development Program
attempts to address larger youth programming issues like
leadership development and making them work with
numerous community agencies, social welfare
organizations, local business & educational institutions
and an immensely diverse group of youth service
providers. The aftermath is that, adolescent girls are
being empowered to participate meaningfully in decisions
that affect their lives and to become active agents of
social change.
Studies showed that the course had enabled the girls to
be aware of various social issues and helped them to
analyze their own situation within the family as well as in
the society. It also helped them to know about
reproductive health issues, marriage registration, impact
of early marriage and early pregnancy. It gave them self
confidence to voice for their needs. Some who joined skill
trainings like poultry rearing, sewing classes started
small initiatives of their own and earning money, which
enhanced their social status. Many of those girls who
were drop outs from school re-admitted after counseling.
During the period, a total number of 75 girls organized
under 05 groups successfully completed the 18 months
course and 42 girls in 2 groups completed only
Fundamental Course, another 06 groups with 105 girls
are continuing classes. Some of them have been
admitted in formal schools after completion of the course.
On going Courses
Total Girls Total Group Total Girls
24 02 35
15 01 20
20 01 20
33 01 20
92 05 95
21_YWCA annual report 08-09
Five of the local YWCAs are running Adolescent
Development Training on a regular basis. About 15-20
young girls are usually enrolled in each group for
eighteen months course. The classes are organized in
adolescent centers located in their community. The
centre is an accommodative and comparatively a safe
place where both the parents and the girls feel safe and
comfortable to attend classes.
This course appeared as beneficial for the adolescents.
This is an opportunity for the dropouts to return to
schools. After completing this eighteen months long
course many students get the motivation for going back
to school and continue further education. Apart from
general education they also learn about life and
livelihood skills i.e. reproductive health, HIV/AIDS,
women's rights, environment, livelihood skills that have a
far reaching affect. It changes their view about life. It
gives them the strength to think positive about life and
built their life in a meaningful way.

Being Enlightened to be Self-reliant

Kohinur Akhtar- age ( 13) lives at Dhakhyinail in Netrakona
District. Her father Kamal Miah is a day labourer and mother
Khudeja Khatun is a house wife. They are three sisters and
three brothers. She is the third child of her parents.

Kohinur always wanted to study. Seeing her interest for

education, her father even after so much of poverty admitted
her in a school. But she was compelled to discontinue her
studies after one year as her parents were not capable anymore
to bear the expenses.

The Birisiri YWCA started an adolescent literacy class at

Dhakhyinail village in the year 2006. It was a one and half year
course and the course content was equivalent to the syllabus of
class three. Learning about it Kohinur went to the Literacy
Facilitator and showed her interest to attend the course. Kohinur
did very good in the course, she was attentive and regular. Her
teacher was very happy with her progress and always
encouraged her to continue her studies.

Kohinoor with her talent, hard work and willingness

successfully completed her one and half year course with a
bright result. Her course teacher was very happy with her
promising result. She contacted her father and asked him to admit her to a school and continue her studies.

Her father was moved by her result and sincerity of education and admitted her in class four . After that Kahinur
did not have to look back. She successfully completed her Primary School. Now she is in class six.

In the adolescent course Kohinur not only learnt how to read and write but also gained knowledge on poultry
rearing, agriculture, health and hygiene, women's rights etc. These have enlightened her in many ways. At home
she rears chicken, ducks and goats, so that she can bear the education expenses on her own.

Kohinur wants to take a higher education and be a self-reliant woman.

22
HEALTH
Maintaining sound health is the stepping stone to productive
future. Vulnerabilities to ill-health and malnutrition cause human
resources to be lethargic, unskilled, un-enterprising and

&
uncreative. If we want to make our development activities more
effective there is no option of setting up health awareness as the
first priority. Zeroing in on this view, YWCA of Bangladesh puts

HYGIENE
an enhanced importance on the health aspect of the poor and
deprived community people, especially of the women and girls.
In order to make preventive and basic curative health-care
services available by promoting and strengthening the essential
health-care system at the field level, YWCA of Bangladesh is
carrying out inclusive health program over the years in response
to the need of target groups. It has been conducting different
health activities integrated with several development programs
comprising the components of general health care, community-
based nutrition, family planning, maternal & child survival
intervention, growth monitoring, food security, water &
sanitation, homestead gardening, immunization, arsenic
mitigation, child health care and so forth through out its working
areas. Over the reporting period 2008-09, more than 27,000
Being aware of beneficiaries received services under the health program
health through multi dimensional community based approach. At
present, the 13 local YWCAs are continuing their development
Geeing up life activities for bettering about 6 thousand beneficiaries' health
towards wealthy condition within their programmatic capacity. In line with the
well-defined plan, the key objectives of the health programs are
future as follows:
X To reduce maternal, infant and child morbidity among the target groups especially the women and girls.
and mortality rate With this awareness, they are able to attain positive
X To change women's behavior through attitudes within a positive environment being provided
awareness building. with essential knowledge and skills. During the reporting
period 2008-09, YWCA of Bangladesh accomplished

Number of People Received Support ( July 2008 - June 2009)

Sl. No. Name of Working Areas No of Groups No of families Male Female Total Population
1 Barisal 124 383 778 741 1519
2 Birisiri 68 580 1323 1224 2547
3 Chandpur 118 730 1450 1505 2955
4 Chittagong 130 1800 2372 2302 4674
5 Comilla 106 700 1306 1114 2420
6 Dhaka 70 1330 2752 2820 5572
7 Dinajpur 54 558 510 698 1208
8 Gopalgonj 133 240 561 605 1166
9 Jessore 106 100 230 320 550
10 Khagrachary 147 115 220 243 463
11 Khulna 137 600 1315 1176 2491
12 Pabna 114 407 886 906 1792
Total 1,307 7543 13703 13654 27,357

Reproductive Health reproductive health oriented activities that the

In light of the long experience earned from the field beneficiaries may again enough confidence to protect
based direct interventions, YWCA of Bangladesh thinks them from vulnerabilities to sexually transmitted diseases
that reproductive health awareness is very much (STD), HIV/AIDS, sexual abuser, ill-believes and so-
necessary to reduce practice of high risk behaviors called dogmas.

24
Maternal Health
Women are undoubtedly and severely susceptible to
mental & physical illness and malnutrition. Because they
are suffering from different kinds of discrimination and
being deprived of their rights. So-called social and
cultural values and ill-believes have created such kind of
situation that they have not enough access to prevention,
treatment, care and support oriented services.
Consequently, the rate of maternal mortality and
morbidity in our county is very high. Being aware of these
drastic social issues, YWCA of Bangladesh has been
shepherding maternal health oriented services in its
intervention areas. Under this activity, the beneficiaries
are being provided with knowledge, skill and awareness
to tackle and mitigate their vulnerabilities through
training, orientation, counseling and courtyard meeting.
Realizing the importance of antenatal care YWCA offers
this service to its beneficiaries. The package of antenatal
care comprises immunization of tetanus toxoid (TT), risk
assessment, assessment of pregnancy status, blood
pressure checkup, advice on nutrition, safe delivery and
exclusive breast feeding. A suitable place in the village,
mostly, house of a reference member or YWCA functional
literacy center is selected as a center. The health worker
sits there once or twice in a month. The expectant
mothers of those areas are brought to the center for
regular check ups. Besides, checking their weight, blood
pressure etc. the health workers also link them with the
health centers for vaccination. The critical cases are
immediately referred to nearby health centers with
Immunization Status
Activities
Tetanus Toxoid (TT) for pregnant mothers (2 doses)
5 doses of Tetanus Toxoid (TT) for 15 - 49 years women/ girls
Vaccination against Hepatitis B Virus for 0-1 year's children
BCG
DPT+OPV
National Immunization Day (NID) Program initiated
Emergency Obstetric Care (EOC) facilities. Neo-natal
health care services are also extended through this
center. The Neonatal care is an important component of
the present program. The service includes health
education for mother on cleanliness, umbilical cord care,
breast feeding, routine eye prophylaxis and special care
of pre term and low birth weight babies, prevention and
treatment of Acute Respiratory Infection.
The total number of pregnant women reported in this
period was 564. Among them 516 mothers received
antenatal care. Besides, 957 women were brought under
Tetanus Toxoid vaccine course. A total of 376 mothers
received post natal care. Under post natal care Vitamin A
capsule was distributed to 322 newly delivered mothers.
YWCA has been training practicing TBAs in order to
promote safe delivery and ensure pre, post and antenatal
care. Every year YWCA identifies practicing TBAs in its
working areas and provide an intensive training. The
trainees are also brought under follow-up training courses.
At the end of the training the TBAs are rewarded with
certificate and safe delivery kits. Findings show that
around 91% pregnant mothers of the YWCA working areas
are using trained professionals including TBAs for their
antenatal, intra- natal and postnatal care in the working
areas. And these have resulted to zero level of maternal
mortality rate and significant reduction in infant mortality
rate. In the reporting period death rate among children up
to 0-5 yrs were 03 out of 3261 meaning 0.09%.
In the reporting period 322 (81.31%) mothers were
provided with Vit A Capsule (VAC). Besides, distribution
of Vitamin A capsule the staff members also motivated
the mothers and their family for giving the mothers
nutritious and vitamin A & C rich food, which were locally
available and cheap.
YWCA organized special sessions on breast and cervical
cancer at the community level where around 5283 people
participated. In few areas screening camps were also
organized. A total of 213 cases were handled under the
screening program. Among them 38 suspected cases
were found, who then were referred to networking
partners who provide support for screening. Three cases
out of 38 were identified as having Breast Cancer.
Total coverage
292
665
854
954
856
3,220
Family Planning
Under the stewardship of family planning, a society can
reach the stage of sustainable peace and prosperity. In
different sense, planning for family is planning for brighter
future of a family contributing to build a potential nation
all along. So with the highest priority for increasing target
groups' consciousness of this social pragmatic issue,
YWCA of Bangladesh is marshaling comprehensive
campaign at field level through social motivation,
mobilization, interpersonal communication and so on. Its
major concern defined by the organizational core policies
and strategies as for family planning is to reduce the
incidence of high risk birth. During the reporting period, it
imparted improved services regarding reproductive
25_YWCA annual report 08-09
health and family planning comprising motivation for use
of birth control, prevention of STD/HIV/AIDS and
reduction of discontinuation of short acting FP methods.
YWCA organized discussion sessions on Family
Planning where around 4080 couples participated. The
sessions mainly discussed on the benefits of small family,
birth spacing and informing the eligible couples about
various contraceptives and their impact on health.
Along with creating awareness the couples were also
linked to the available support services especially who
were willing to take a permanent method.
In the reporting period 2326 ( 41.40%) out of 5618
eligible couples were found using FP devices.
Adolescent Care
Disadvantage and poor adolescent girls are physically,
psychologically, socially and culturally more vulnerable to
different ailments. Under the circumstance, their choices
and opportunities are confined by ill-believes, practice of
risky behavior, dogmatic social attitudes, lack of access
to proper health care, knowledge and livelihood oriented
education. Within boarder health education approach,
YWCA of Bangladesh is constantly striving to make the
underprivileged adolescents gather adequate knowledge
and potential expertise for handling their own problems
with their creativity and capacity. Training, workshop,
orientation, gender session, exchanging views &
experiences etc. are being organized for them to change
and develop their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP)
in a very pragmatic manner. Thus, they are being on the
right way to have such keynote life skills as bargaining,
negotiation, critical thinking, ability of working together,
self-awareness, diversity of innovation, decision making
and so forth.
Relying on adolescent friendly approach, YWCA of
Bangladesh is executing need based behavioral change
26
communication activities to address the issues related to
adolescents' problems from the very beginning. Under
this program, the adolescent girls are being aware of
adolescences & puberty, safe sexual behavior, means to
avoid health risk including STD/HIV/AIDS, proper
nutrition, prevention of early marriage, marriage
registration, special education during puberty
(physical+mental), special care during their menstruation
period, antenatal care, post natal care, hygiene and the
list goes on. The unmarried adolescents are often
deprived of health care facilities in Bangladesh. In line
with the national Family Planning Program's targets,
eligible couples especially married women between 15 to
49 years, many of these adolescents, will get the
opportunity of education and services for maintaining
soundness of their reproductive health. But unfortunately
most of them are out of taking these services.
Internalizing this very rude fact, YWCA of Bangladesh
has taken this program to guide and make them
conscious of their brighter future as they have to play an
important role of a mother in future. In the course of
bringing about necessary awareness among the
adolescents and keeping them away from practicing risky
behavior, YWCA of Bangladesh conducted
comprehensive school education program in the
reporting year 2008-09. With this effort, it identified
various schools in the community and took sessions on
basic rights, leadership, participation in social &
development activities, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS,
gender awareness, women rights & empowerment and
environment so forth. Those events included a total of
10,000 adolescents.
Nutrition
Nutrition for all is one of the main pre-conditions for
sustainable development. YWCA of Bangladesh believes
that lack of nutrition awareness associated with food

insecurity is enough for making a nation unproductive
and uncreative. So it has been initiating a range of
activities related to nutrition at community level to reduce
malnutrition, especially among women, girls and
children. Simultaneously, it is trying to strengthen
communities' capacity that they are able to assess and
analyze the causes of their malnutrition problems as well
as to make better use of family, community and external
resources to shake up their nutritional status.
A total of 1368 children of 0-3 years old were brought
under surveillance. Among them 199 children were
identified malnourished. Those children were provided
with supplementary feeding support and treatment in
necessary cases. Of them 119 reached almost normal
weight. To encourage the mothers for cooking low cost
nutritious food, the YWCA organized community feeding
program in a place mostly house of a beneficiary
selected where demonstration on cooking hotchpotch
took place. In some areas community brought
vegetables, eggs, fish, rice etc. from their houses and
participated in the event. Besides, YWCA also organized
National Nutrition Week where the mothers were
educated on the importance of exclusive breast feeding
and weaning food. Community based feeding was also
one of the important part of this campaign.
Encouraging the mothers to continue to breast feed their
children up to the age of two years, and provide weaning
food at the right time after 6 months of age is one of the
priority activities under this component. Exclusive breast
feeding refers to provide only breast milk to the infants up
to six months of age. But findings showed that majority of
the babies are given water, bottle milk etc. and most of
the time it is given due to inadequate breast milk. Though
it is advised to start weaning food at the age of six
months, but majority starts immediately after four
months. Inadequate breast milk is again another reason
for it along with lack of consciousness.
However, in the reporting year among 1,368 children
from 0-1 year old, 1000 were brought under exclusive
breast feeding and 1047 were given weaning food in
proper time.
Environment, Sanitation and Safe
Drinking Water
Promoting environmental sanitation and hygiene behavior
is one of the flagship concerns of YWCA of Bangladesh.
Through its Environment, Sanitation & Safe Drinking Water
program, it has been sensitizing different groups of people
ranging from the grassroots to the local influential persons
to mobilize them towards environment friendly WatSan.
Thus it is contributing to improvement of the public health
situation of poor and disadvantaged people in its
intervention areas. In the disadvantaged communities,
rates of morbidity and mortality due to environment
pollution and WatSan related problems are very high.
People are being constantly vulnerable to water & excreta-
borne diseases, arsenicosis and so on. YWCA of
Bangladesh is facilitating implementation with its holistic
approach to promote and scale up the access to arsenic-
free & safe water supply, affordable sanitation and related
hygiene services. To beef up the impact of this program, it
is focusing on the prime social issues like promoting
sustainable change of hygiene behavior in unserved
communities in line with the pro-poor strategy set by the
far-seeing plan. In this case, time-fitting promotional
activities are playing catalytic role. Over the reporting
period 2008-09, YWCA of Bangladesh executed different
types of BCC (behavioral change communication)
activities spotlighting on such three key issues as -
increasing social awareness, mobilizing community and
promoting positive hygiene praxis. It supported and
capacitated the target groups with technical knowledge,
updated information and tailored messages on water,
sanitation, hygiene and environment. Need-based training,
orientation, courtyard meeting, advocacy and other
interpersonal communication oriented activities were
organized to assemble the supports and resources from
different stakeholders. As a result it was possible to kindle
a spark in their inner-drive to think over the issues of their
own and extend their close and effective participation in
improving WatSan and hygiene situation of their
communities as a whole.
Taping the local resources like enthusiasm, awareness
and eagerness of the community people, YWCA of
Bangladesh is supplementing national water &
sanitation targets and goal through initiating different
community based activities for the reference groups.
Under this program, it distributed 222 slab latrines. As
part of increasing use of clean water for household work
27_YWCA annual report 08-09
and YWCA distributed 481 slab latrines. As part of
increasing use of clean water for household work and
drink safe water for the prevention/ control of water
borne diseases 73 tube-wells were sunk and 136 old
tube-wells were repaired.
With the vision of easing vulnerabilities to environmental
pollution and impoverishment, YWCA of Bangladesh has
been initiating tree plantation under social forestry
program. Environmental condition all over the country is
degrading day by day due to environment pollution,
declination of cultivable land, deforestation, using
pesticides, unsustainable agriculture and fishing
practices, mishandling and mismanagement of wealth,
ignorance and so on. YWCA of Bangladesh is creating
and honing the awareness among the community
people that environment degradation would not be
multiplied by them. In the reporting year, saplings of
various timber and medicinal plants were distributed
among the members and beneficiaries as part of
awareness building on environment conservation.
Special workshops were conducted on climate change,
forest preservation, community forest and plantation.
YWCA also participated in various programs on
environment, water & sanitation organized by local
networks, NGOs and government bodies. All these
included around 22,000 community people.
Medical Service & Referral
To support people suffering from severe health problem
with financial ability for treatment, YWCA provided
28
referral services to approximately 463 people. Clinical
support was extended to a total of 8154 members. Types
of support extended during the mentioned period are:
X Limited Curative Care: eyes infection/ears infection,
cold-cough, skin diseases i.e. scabies, worm
infestation
X Control of Communicable Diseases: tuberculosis,
malaria, leprosy, kala-azar, filaria, and worm
infestation (Intestinal parasites)
X Other emerging and re-emerging diseases: dengue,
swine flue etc.
Health Education for School
Children
During the reporting period 2008-09, YWCA organized
special sessions for 7500 school children in the
community to create awareness of various health issues.
The topics generally discussed in these sessions were;
X Sex/gender education and HIV/AIDS
X Reproductive health (for adolescent boys and girls)
X Behavioral change during puberty age
X Awareness against non-commercial sex related
violence against children
X Importance of tetanus toxoid (TT) and hepatitis B
virus vaccine
X Self control diseases (i.e. diarrhoea)
X Skin diseases (scabies, ring worm)
X Worm infestation
X Personal hygiene
X First aid
X Education on nutrition/food habit
X Leprosy
X Children's right/human rights
X Smoking/drug abuse
X Child trafficking/acid burning
X Environment (safe drinking water and sanitation)
X Primary health care
X Burn/electric burn
Simultaneously, health camps were organized to
examine their health i.e. eye, heart, leprosy etc. In the
reference period, 2011 students were brought under this
program.
Behavior Change Communication
(BCC)
YWCA's behavior change communication (BCC)
intervention is an important part of integrated, multilevel
& interactive activities aimed at developing tailored
messages and approaches. This activity is using a range
of communication channels for bringing about pragmatic
changes in target groups' behaviors. In other word, its
BCC aims to foster positive behavior; promote & sustain
individual, community & societal behavior change.
YWCA of Bangladesh is very aware of achieving health
behavior change by developing and disseminating
appropriate messages to its target groups. Social
mobilization is the effective tools to bring about the
changes in knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the
community people. In 2008-09, YWCA made great stride
in this social mobilization with a view to getting the
community people involved in the course of improving
their health status. As an integral component of
comprehensive health program, BCC activities of YWCA
of Bangladesh facilitated the tasks of -
X increasing knowledge of target groups
X stimulating community resource mobilization
X promoting essential attitude change
X reducing stigma, discrimination and gender violence
X creating demand for information and quality health
services
X advocating for sound health for all
X making community people have enough access to
prevention, care & support
X improving skills and self-efficacy to tackle the
common difficulties as to maintaining sound health.
Being associated with different kinds of promotional
activities, BCC program of YWCA of Bangladesh is
always exploring ideas and thoughts, developing
messages and materials as well as ensuring the proper
use of different media and channels. Training, workshop,
seminar, symposium, colloquium are being organized to
team up for assembling all potentials of the respective
stakeholders and taking program forward to be
implemented properly. Through the BCC based
approach, YWCA of Bangladesh addressed the following
topics during the reporting year 2008-09:
X Education on gender
X Awareness against early marriage
X Awareness on delaying of first pregnancy for the
early married couples
X Marriage registration
X Birth registration
X Pre & post marriage education
X Awareness against non-commercial sex related
violence against children
X
Mental health/mental support for women, adolescent
boys & girls, elderly people and women on the
menopausal stage
X Drug addiction
X Empowerment of women (gender and development)
through economic solvency.
Health Education
YWCA of Bangladesh has been materializing a wide range
of health education activities to educate community people
about health with the components of environmental,
physical, social, emotional, intellectuals and spiritual
health. Health education is the very tool by which
individuals, groups & communities may learn to behave in
a manner conducive to the promotion, maintenance or
restoration of health. YWCA of Bangladesh is continuing
health education intervention at community level that the
community people may acquire information and skills
needed to have the following outputs -
X making quality health decisions
X taking ownership of their health problems
X benefiting from improved and properly cultivated
ideas about health
X achieving desirable attitudes and practices related to
critical health issues
X using interpersonal communication skills to enhance
health and avoid or reduce health risks
X advocating for personal, family and community
health
X setting short-term personal health goal and taking
action towards attaining the goal
X expressing opinions and giving accurate information
about health issues to other
29_YWCA annual report 08-09
X encouraging other to make positive health choices
X choosing a healthy option when making a decision
X identifying ways in which safe and healthy
community environments can promote and support
personal health practices and behaviors.
In 2008-09, YWCA initiated adequate trainings,
orientations, counseling, and intensive sessions for the
beneficiaries to develop their capacity of identifying the
benefits of and barriers to practicing healthy behaviors
and ultimately, improve their standard of living.
Special Health Related Activities
Vitamin A Plus Campaign: On June 6, 2009
Bangladesh Government launched a program on Vitamin
A Plus Campaign which aimed at protecting infants from
blindness and death risks. YWCA was actively involved
in that campaign. A high powered VAC was administered
to children aged 1 to 5 years and de-worming tablet to
those aged 2 to 5 years. Vitamin A capsule protects the
children not only from blindness but it also decrease the
rate of child mortality. Besides it decreases the range and
complexity of diarrhea as well as malnutrition. A total of
4321 children received VAC and 5175 children received
de-worming tablets.
Health Camps: On April 28,2009 YWCA of Dhaka
arranged a day long Health Camp at Kaligonj centre.
The 72 participant attended had Blood Pressure check-
up, Blood Sugar Test and Breast Screening.
National Immunization Day: YWCA of Bangladesh
participated the 18th National Immunization Day in all its
working areas with great enthusiasm. A total 1180
beneficiary children received Polio Vaccine and VAC on
that day.
Breast Cancer Walk and Breast Screening: The
October month is the awareness month on Breast
Cancer. All branches observed this month very positively.
On 30th October Bangladesh YWCA arranged Breast
Cancer Walk. About 1500 women from different spheres
of the organization and society participated the event.
30
In this month all 13 branches of Bangladesh YWCA
arranged discussion session, yard meeting and
screening program. A total of 5283 people attended
different sessions.
Environment Fair: Dhaka YWCA observed the World
Environment Day on June 12, 2009 by brining out colorful
rally and organizing environment fair. The theme of the
day was : “Your Planet Needs you - Get united to combat
Climate Change .”
Swine Flu: To aware people on the prevention of swine
flue all the YWCA branches organized special sessions
on prevention of Swine Flue. Those sessions were
organized especially in the month of August and
September, since these are the high risk months for
transmission of swine flue. A total of 504 people
attended the awareness programs.
Day Observance: In the reported time-frame YWCA
observed World Leprosy Day, Adolescent Day,
International Women's Day, World Water Day, World
Tuberculosis Day, World Health Day, National Nutritional
Week, International Mothers Day, International AIDS
Candlelight Memorial Day, Safe Motherhood Day, World
Tobacco Free Day, World Environment Day, World
Population Day, World Breast Feeding Week, World
Indigenous Day, International Literacy Day, National Girls'
Child Day, Observed Breast Cancer awareness month,
International Day for Elderly Persons, World Mental
Health Day, World Food Day, World Day to Stop Violence
Against Women and World AIDS Day etc. To mark the
significance of those days YWCA brought out rallies and
organized discussion sessions focusing on related issues.
The day observance mainly aimed to create mass
awareness among the community on specific issues
through information education and various actions like
cultural events, rally etc. It not only included the target
community but the overall community as a whole. Beside,
majority of the days were observed together with other
organizations. This along with increasing awareness also
strengthened cooperation among various organizations,
groups and communities. About 35,000 people
participated in those days observances.
WOMEN'S Savings and Credit Program
In the name of Women's Economic Empowerment

ECONOMIC
Program, YWCA of Bangladesh has been providing
disadvantaged people financial assistance for
empowering them to create their own jobs, raise their

EMPOWERMENT
incomes, build assets and increase their families' well-
being. They are getting the facilities to save and invest
money in productive activities under the income
generation activities (IGAs). In response to the multi-
diversified and wide ranging problems, this program has
been playing a significant role in reducing poverty through
microfinance oriented support and other promotional
activities since 1984.

Group Formation and Institution Building

Forming groups is not simply a means of delivering
savings and credit services but of building up group skills
as part of a wider strategy of empowerment. Collective
action through group formation and institution building
With easy finance for has an important role in bringing about desired and
being self reliant, positive change. Group containing of 15-20 members by

easing vulnerabilities to
and large is the real core of all the development activities
of YWCA of Bangladesh. The group members assembled
hunger and poverty to cope with poverty, hunger and other social disparities
and difficulties collectively are from disadvantaged
communities who are landless, selling manual labor and
whose total asset do not worth more than TK. 25,000.
Working in a group enables the members to develop their
own analysis of the existing situation and plan and
implement solutions to problems. Group formation and
institutional building is sometimes used as an early
intervention to create a sense of identity and shared
interest among group members. This approach promotes
internal control over savings and loan funds and is likely
to bring about stronger identification with the projects to
be initiated.
Groups are the reliable forums to construct and marshal
well-groomed community based organizations of rural
and urban poor as well as enhances skill for developing
their livelihoods in unison. Achieving maturity and
competence to hold responsibility through the collective
action of the members, the groups become eligible to
receive loan from Revolving Loan Fund. YWCA over this
year cumulatively organized 1258 groups with 18,161
members.
Savings
Savings is the means and ways to cope with the
financial shock and problems in future. Group members
think that it is the opportunity to save an amount and
earn profit which they cannot get from other traditional
and financial institutions. Savings enhances the scope
of security for them to meet future expenses,
contingencies and unforeseen emergencies. Over the
reporting year, the groups got more organized,
disciplined and regular in savings. Regular savings of a
group also indicates increased income of the members
and improved management capacity of the group. The
total savings of the groups for the year 2008-2009 was
Taka 46,610,765.
32
Credit
Credit is the principal component of microfinance activity
under Women's Economic Development Program.
YWCA of Bangladesh has been providing financial
assistance to the poor women in its intervention areas
through credit oriented services that they are able to
develop their livelihoods and empower themselves. It is
scaling up access to credit for its group members for
initiating income generation activities and thereby assists
them to increase their income and gradually earn a
sustained livelihood. Credit operation is carried out
through a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) consisting of
member's contribution, YWCA's own fund and donors'
contribution.
Key features of Loans
Loan range: Tk. 5000 - 75,000
Interest rate: 12% flat
Repayment mechanism: Equal fortnightly installments
Loan products: General loan, business loan
In the year 2008-2009, the Revolving Loan Fund
amounted to TK. 46,970,812. A total of Taka 80,734,062
was disbursed in 2008-2009 which is 73 % higher than
last year. Total amount of loan collected up to the closing
of the reporting year was TK.58,655,121 and the loan
outstanding was TK. 58,626,313.
The total loan recovery rate was around 93.5%. The
over due rate stood 3.81%% which was around 11% less
than last fiscal year. The total earning of the program
was Taka 6,806,475 which was 4,687,266 in the last
reporting year.
The goal of YWCA is to make women aware of their
rights and enable them to exercise rights. In order to
achieving so, one of the major strategies followed was

creating opportunities for them to get involved with
economic activities. An assessment of the achievements
in light of the set indicators would help to measure the
success of the project.
Increased awareness coupled with access to
information, skills and finance has given women the
confidence and efficiency to get involved with economic
activities. This in concrete term is a gate way for women
towards emancipation. Women are much more vocal
than before and aware of their rights. They are taking a
proactive role not only to change their prevailing situation
but also motivating others to take initiatives for brining
changes in their lives. In the beginning of micro-finance
program majority of the women were being used as a
mere instrument for channelling money from different
sources. Now the situation has changed. Women having
knowledge of their rights, now, jointly decides how and
where the money to be spent on. Women are well aware
of the benefits of savings and have also developed the
habit of regular savings. Almost 98% group members
regularly save their monthly dues. About 75% of the
beneficiaries were found taking loan from the micro-
credit scheme, among whom, half invested money in
family businesses. In the reporting period among the total
of 20,285 members 12,678 took loan.
It was observed from baseline survey 2009 that more
than 88% respondent's family members have saved
some sort of amount from their earnings per month which
showed their strength and willingness about savings.
Among them most of the respondent (58%) saved money
in YWCA, more than 15 percent saved in bank and 9.2
percent respondent saved in other NGOs. Only 4.1
percent saved in some local cooperative societies.
On the other hand, 54.1 percent respondents have
reported that they can save some amount of money from
their own earnings regularly. But More than 26 percent
did not have any savings from their own earnings
whereas 8.5 percent have reported of saving money from
their own earnings occasionally.
The survey indicated 72% of the respondents taking
regular loan from YWCA and the average loan appeared
as TK. 10,242. It was observed from the present survey
that more than 40 percent of the total respondents were
not direct economic partner in their families. But they had
positive contribution in their spouse or family's income
through their involvement in different activities.
About half of the respondents (48.5%) reported investing
the loan for their family businesses. Only 16.9 percent
invested loan for business run by themselves and 3.9
percent took received loan for their children's education.
A large number of respondents (36.9%) used loan as
current capital for their businesses. Almost 11 percent
respondents used loan for building house or repairing
houses whereas 10.5 percent for farming. As per the
33_YWCA annual report 08-09
baseline survey report around 58% women were found
taking investment decision on their own.
One of the important indicators of economic uplift is
increase purchasing capacity. The survey revealed that
almost 42 percent of total respondents or their family
members have purchased at least one new asset during
last one year. They have spent Taka 23,645 on an
average for procuring these assets. Among them, 21.4
percent respondents have purchased furniture and 4.5
percents have purchased domestic animals.

Tailoring Taking towards Brighter Future

The fabric garment in Bangladesh gives work to many women that did not get a proper education. A position as
a garment worker pays very little, and the women often have to work long hours. There are also many who work
as tailorers, and one of them is Khadiza. The difference for her is that she is not working for anyone - she is her
own boss. In fact, she came from a very difficult background with little hope of making a prosperous future for
herself.

When Khadiza was around 11 or 12, she had completed grade 5. Her home was at a rural village, and like many
poor families, her family was also struggling with bringing food to the table. Her father therefore decided to send
his daughter to Khulna town. Perhaps she could continue her studies there? The village girl did just that, but she
also saw the need to learn a profession so she could make a living after finishing school. She decided that she
would try to learn how to sew and make clothes, and by the time she had finished class 9, she was able to sew
women's clothes. She was around 15 or 16 years old when she joined the YWCA Micro Credit Program.

One of the criteria for getting a loan is that the women have to save, so she tried her best to save a little money
every month. 5 Taka might seem like a small amount, but it got her the first loan of 500 Taka after 6 months. This
was in 1997, and the rules for how the saved amount related to the size of the loan one could get were different
back in the days. She was earning a little money through tutoring younger students. The 500 Taka were used to
buy a sewing machine on installment. At the age of 16 she got married, but continued in the YWCA program.

Today, her business has expanded significantly. Over the

years she has taken several loans, and now has four sewing
machines in addition to her own. Four young girls are working
for her, and she has trained all of them herself. She also offers
to train girls that find themselves in the same situation she was
in when only a school girl. She takes 1000 Taka for this
service, which helps young (and possibly unmarried) girls to
get a job in the garment industry. If she has a vacant position
she employs the girl she gives training to. One of these girls is
Tohomina (in the picture), who has been working there for 8
months now. The other girls working for her have been there
for around 2 years. Every month, after all expenses such as
salaries are paid, the profit of Khadiza's business is 5000
Taka. The profit usually increases around big holidays, such as
Eid. The salary is not based on an hourly basis, but on the
amount of clothes they manage to produce.

Khadiza is an example of how poor women who get training in

how to manage their own economy can increase their
standard of living significantly, and also influence the
community by spreading hope and skills to other women. Her
ambitions are still high, and she wants to continue to take
loans for one day to be able to open a small factory.

34
WOMEN'S
Advocacy
YWCA of Bangladesh has been performing a wide range of

RIGHTS AND
advocacy works with a view to raising awareness of women's
human rights, empowerment & social security, influencing local
and national policymakers and public opinion. Thus, it is
increasing the visibility and impact of its campaigns for social

SOCIAL equality and sustainable development. Through a potential

framework for forwarding development towards sustainable
attainment and broadening its benefit, YWCA of Bangladesh is

SECURITY organizing constantly advocating at field, sub-national and

national level. It has been capacitating community people to
undertake policy change initiatives through launching mass
awareness activities and advocacy campaigns. Using effective
communication tools and hosting events for activists, media and
the public, YWCA of Bangladesh is working for the following
objectives -

Counting on healthy X identify emerging social issues, scopes and stakeholders

change X improve effective relationships and establish linkages with

the stakeholders and networking organizations at
Mounting an effective community, national and international level
attack on social X build strategic and practical knowledge for capacity building
vulnerability X beef up the impact of development activities
X build an informed collective voice to re-shape However, still in more than 31 percent cases it was
thinking and practice for ensuring women's rights & reported that husband takes the entire decision on
social security savings and investments decision without consulting their
wives. Men still significantly dominates decision related
X mobilize public support in favor of development to their wives' health care as 37.9% reported that their
activities. health care decisions are taken by their husbands. On
the other hand only 18.2 percent have reported that their
In cooperation with the community people and other key
husband takes independently their children's education
stakeholders, YWCA of Bangladesh is campaigning for
decisions.
legislative and pragmatic change for a just society at the
local and national level through its well-planned activities
In the case of major expenditure related decision making,
of advocacy & networking. In this way, it is committed to
most of the decisions are still taken by their husbands
build community people's capacity and confidence to
alone or with other family members except her. 46.1
advance their empowerment, promote good governance
percent respondents reported this. On the contrary, 30
and improve access to opportunities, resources and
percent have reported that they have equal participation
services. Under Advocacy & Networking program, YWCA
when these decisions are made.
of Bangladesh has been performing the regular tasks, for
example, mobilizing mass media; developing effective
Husbands' attitudes towards their wives play a very
advocacy policies and networking guidelines; arranging
crucial role in establishing women rights and women
issue-based promotional activities through meetings,
empowerment in the family. Report indicated that a large
workshops, seminars, campaigns in a participatory
number of the respondents (42.7%) get respect and
manner targeting different stakeholders like, government,
honor as well as importance in all types of works by their
civil society, community people, church communities,
husbands. Almost 21 percent have reported that their
NGOs, women's organizations, existing partners etc.;
husbands are very much indifferent towards them or
maintaining relationships with other networks and social
even in some cases they get negligence from their
groups with similar interests; observing nationally and
husbands.
internationally important days making community people
participate actively; organizing interaction meetings, open
Women's involvement in social activities are treated as
discussion on priority based issues like women's right,
an indicator of women empowerment and the reports
reproductive health and HIV/AIDS, women's economic
depicts that about 33 percent of the total female
empowerment, child right, health & nutrition and gender
respondents are involved with either different social club
equity; lobbying policy makers for the meaningful
or societies or local administration other than YWCA.
participation and involvement of women in policy and
decision making and so on. Wider involvement of YWCA
A good number of Beneficiaries (14.8%) are participating
in the community through this program especially active
by only attending in the meeting of those organizations
involvement in women's rights issues increased
whereas 8.4 percent have active participation in
acceptance of YWCA among the target people, civil
discussion. More than 6 percent have no activity except
society as well as among the NGO community. The
their name in the organizations and only 2.2 percent are
program has also helped YWCA to un-shell women's
found as leader of those organizations.
latent qualities and take a proactive role in protecting
rights of women and be in solidarity with others in need.
Apart from this, more than 37 percent reported that last
year at least one social gathering or event has happened
It has been observed in the internal reports that more
in their locality through mass participation in which 16.8
than half (58.8%) of the women beneficiaries can take
percent have active participation, 8.7 percent have direct
their family's savings or Investment decisions either by
support and 10.6 percent have indirect support.
their own or by mutual understanding with their husbands
or any other family members. About 70% women can
take child bearing decision together with their husband. Networking
65% group members mentioned of having the freedom In knowledge gathering, information exchange, liaison &
for decision making about children's health care and co-ordination as well as capacity building, YWCA of
education related issues. About 49.1% were found of Bangladesh is linking and reflecting the direct grassroots
having active participation in their family's major experience to advancing understanding and action on
purchase decisions. staple right issues under advocacy & networking. For
addressing community attitudes towards ensuring decent
Almost 34 percent women actively participate in their standard of living for all, it is working to enhance the role
family decision making. On the other hand, only 5.3 of achieving equal opportunities in social life, education
percent women are forced by their family members to and livelihood development. So it is focusing on
implement the decisions and almost 31 percent information dissemination, coordination and cooperation
respondents have shared responsibilities while among the GOs, NGOs and civil society.
implementing any family decision.

36
The branches maintained regular liaison with the
government department concerned and updated them
with the progress of various activities carried out by
YWCA with a view to strengthening networking. In
addition, they took part in several programs arranged by
other organizations and dynamically contributed to issue
based campaigns. At national level, it keenly partook in a
range of events initiated by the networking partners,
mostly the National STD/STI Network Bangladesh,
Bangladesh Girl Child Advocacy Forum, The Women's
Forum etc. Likewise, it also carried on profound and
intimate relationship as well as sustained network with
the local church related bodies and institutions.
Along with other networking partners Bangladesh YWCA,
has been implementing an advocacy campaign under the
platform "Citizen's Initiative against Domestic Violence
[CiDV], which is coordinated by BNWLA. This campaign,
firstly aimed at influencing the policy level to enact an
independent legislation to combat domestic violence and
secondly to creating a community intervention to address
domestic violence within the community. An independent
Domestic Violence [Protection & Prevention] Bill 2009
has been finalized and submitted to the government
under CiDV with the efforts of nearly forty organizations.
Promotional Activities
YWCA of Bangladesh organizes promotional activities
associated with awareness building, social mobilization,
advocacy, networking and community motivation,
ultimately, for taking core programs forward to be
implemented without facing much more difficulties.
Promotional activities through different forums may play
a powerful role to get the target groups involved in the
course of changing their behaviors and practices
positively. Through this kind of supporting program,
YWCA of Bangladesh has been influencing and changing
target groups' behavioral attitudes regarding women's
right and social security comprising such social issues as
education, literacy, health, nutrition, water & sanitation,
protecting environment, tree plantation, women
empowerment, attaining life skill development,
participating in development activities and so on. Making
community people aware of the development process
with easy understanding messages and effective
materials, promotional activities stimulate them to
change their knowledge and perceptions copping with
time, need and demand. Consequently, it is being
possible to achieve the programmatic goal smoothly as
per the well-defined plan. YWCA of Bangladesh
orchestrates the promotional activities at the community
level catering to the core programs with the aid of IEC
(information, education & communication) & BCC
(behavior change communication) activities and
materials (like posters, brochures, leaflets, newsletters,
banners, billboards etc). A good number of promotional
activities are being facilitated by YWCA of Bangladesh
with the intervention as to production of IEC/BCC
materials (printed materials, audio-video materials, etc.),
conducting courtyard meetings, organizing seminar &
symposium including film shows, cultural programs,
small and large group discussion meetings, workshops,
idea sharing at different forums, doorstep visits, etc.
To bring about social pragmatic change especially
improving the socio economic condition of disadvantaged
women, promotional activities of YWCA has been
dynamically integrating exclusive utilization of multi
channel media to build necessary knowledge-based
infrastructure at field level since its inception. Over the
reporting year 2008-09, it utilized the optimum efforts to
transfer ideas, messages, skills, information to the target
beneficiaries by way of fruitful documentation and
dissemination.
Counseling
There is no doubt that counseling a trustworthy process
can be instrumental in the development of life skills that
help community people effectively confront and cope with
uncertainties and conflicts, increase self-understanding,
make difficult/better decisions, clarify choices, develop
self-esteem, improve communication skill and gain
gender awareness. YWCA of Bangladesh has been
arranging and providing counseling support at
community level to help the beneficiaries identify
personal strengths and develop ways to live life more
fully. Thus, they are getting chance to explore feelings
and express them better, examine beliefs and work
towards making healthy change. Protecting the
community people from all kinds of ill practices,
counseling services provided by the YWCA is enhancing
the impact on making community people win the war on
moral and social vulnerabilities as a whole.
To ensure psychological and social well-being of the
community people comprehensively, counseling - a
helping process that takes place in an atmosphere of
acceptance, respect and trust - is the most reliable
means of interpersonal communication (IPC). In 2008-
09, YWCA of Bangladesh extended necessary
counseling support in the areas of women rights & social
security covering health, education, economic
empowerment, gender development and other social
issues. More than 1200 women were supported under
this program component to help them understand
themselves, their behaviors, feelings, and values. All of
the 13 branches have established counseling cell for
empowering the beneficiaries to adapt more constructive
life practices and increasing their personal effectiveness.
YWCA has also organized TOT on advocacy and
counseling to equip the staff members with counseling
skills and compassion. Counselling services offered to
the community created a space for the women especially
women from the marginalized group to share their
problems and find a way forward.
37_YWCA annual report 08-09
Legal Aid Services I. enhancing functional awareness of legal issues.
II. scaling up access to legal assistance.
Increasing functional knowledge of legal issues at
community level, YWCA of Bangladesh has been
To further the first objective, YWCA organized and
providing legal support through legal aid services. Under
conducted workshops on family law with participants
these services, it is providing free advices about the law
from different levels of the society. It also had regular
and practical help with legal matters for people who are
program with the community people which included
too poor to pay for it.
courtyard meetings, grass-roots level workshops, group
discussions and so on. It organized seminars for women
With the target of increasing social awareness on gender
leaders, special workshops for women church-leaders on
related issues and to enhance legal support services to
Christian Family law and protection of the rights of
the reference members, YWCA of Bangladesh has been
women as well. The counseling centers operated by
initiating legal aid support since the year of 2005. It is
different branches are assisting women who were victims
helping its target groups through protecting their basic
of violence. Sometimes the counselors, who are public
rights, solving problems that contribute to social
prosecutors directly moved cases or linked the victims
exclusion, advising on their legal problems, facilitating to
with organizations those work specifically on legal
understand their rights and the law and so on.
issues. Around 100 arbitrations were done in the
reporting period.
In view of the programmatic objectives, the legal aid
support of YWCA of Bangladesh has two dimensions -

Legal Aid
Cornerstone of Social Security
Sheuli Akhter Minu is from Bhatikhana - Katoali in Barisal. She was married to Mr. Anwar Hossain on 12th March
2001 according to Muslim Shariah law. During the wedding, Anwar received many pricey gifts and gold jewelry
as gifts from his in-laws. However, this could not satisfy his greed.

Within a few days after marriage Anwar and his family started creating pressure on Minu for more dowry. Minu
refused to asking her parents so. These made her to go through endless physical and mental torture by her
husband and in-laws. Nonetheless, considering social obligations and her parent's prestige Minu had no way
but to tolerate. In the mean time, Minu got pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. This even further aggravated
her situation.

In 2007, Anwar and his family demanded one hundred thousand taka from Minu's family as dowry. Minu refused
to inform her family about their demand. This made them very furious. Anwar together with his family members
started beating her ruthlessly and throw her out from the house in one clothe. They also kept her daughter with
them.

Minu's father tried to resolve the issue by talking with Anwer's family. But they refused for any settlements other
that one hundred thousand taka. They even threatened Minu's parents of arranging second marriage for Anwar,
if not get the dowry.

Seeing no other way, Minu then filed a case at the family court on April 2008. The learned lawyer of Anwar
prayed for bail to the court but got refused three times. In September 2008, Anwar finally got bail with the
condition of taking Minu back to home. Minu is now staying with her husband. The case is still ongoing under
the women and child abuse tribunal. This definitely has not established justice in Minu's favor but at least could
bring some ease in her life.

38
CULTURAL
To promote the interests, multiculturalism and values of the
many people from culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds, YWCA of Bangladesh has been carrying out

DEVELOPMENT
special program with ethnic communities over the years. Ethnic
communities are the important part of the broad social
community of Bangladesh. Empowerment in enjoying rights as

&
to artistic freedom, freedom of expression and cultivation of
cultural & spiritual capacities fulfills the condition of managing
sustainable and equitable development paths for every

ENVIRONMENT
community people. So setting up a priority to develop
knowledge, skill, attitude, creative potential and innovation in
improving livelihood among the indigenous community people
with culturally & linguistically diverse backgrounds, YWCA of

AWARENESS Bangladesh has been mapping out special programs for them
continuously.

The main objective of this ethnic community development

program is to ensure that all people from diverse cultural and
linguistic backgrounds have equal access to services related to
educational, cultural and financial assistance and can fully
participate in all aspects of a cohesive and harmonious social
life. YWCA of Bangladesh is materializing the activities and
services comprising social mobilization; community
Catering for the development initiatives; communitywide integrated programs;
community cross cultural training; multicultural policy development,
research and so on. However, the activities specially
Creating opportunity encompass three of the local YWCAs in Dinajpur, Birisiri and
Khagrachhari with pepole form Garo, Hajong, Santal,
Uraon, Munda, Chakma and Tripura community.
To advocate for indigenous people's rights and make
them effective actors of development, YWCA took some
initiatives under the regular activities of Special Program
with Ethnic Community, for instance - organizing
workshops for indigenous people's rights, cultural events
with youth, rallies on Word Indigenous Day joint venture
seminars and so on in 2008-09. It participated in several
events organized by different GOs, NGOs and
development agencies to strengthen network in the
aspect of ethnic community development. Besides,
YWCA of Bangladesh contributed extensively to various
developments planning arranged by the Government of
Bangladesh for tribal and indigenous people as well.
Education is one of the contributing factors for the further
marginalization of the ethnic communities in Bangladesh.
In order to promote education YWCA promotes education
amongst the marginalized with in the ethnic communities.
YWCA make efforts to encourage the beneficiaries to
send their children to schools and continue their
education. In doing so, it motivates the local government
education department to improve education facilities in
the schools and also communicates with NGO run
schools to enroll students from the poor families and in
some cases arranges stipends. It also distributes books
among tribal students studying in high schools and
colleges.
The ethnic communities have a very rich and unique
cultural heritage. However, because of the strong
influence of dominant and exotic culture it is gradually
moving towards extinction. It is not only a threat for the
survival of the culture but also for the community itself. As
an incentive to encourage the
community, especially, the young
generation to practice, nurture and
promote their own culture YWCA
organized Adivasi Mela (Fair) in
Birisiri. The fair was a harmony
alliance for the community. People
from different places came to attend
the fair. They were in their traditional
hand weaved dresses. Various
traditional goods and food was
displayed and sold in the fair. The fair
ended up with a rich and marvelous
cultural event.
This is causing to environmental imbalances in that
particular area i.e. water pollution, air pollution, infertility
of land etc. Besides, as it is attracting people from the
mainland in search of jobs, is a threat for land gabbing of
the Ethnic Communities. The Birisiri YWCA has been
very active in the area in making people aware of the
issue. In a consorted effort with other NGOs and
community, it has organized human chain with about
3000 men and women at the upazilla. With support from
the World Life Trust of Bangladesh, Birisiri YWCA has
also organized special sessions on environmental
conservation for the school children and beneficiaries
and launched a three months long campaign on "save
wild elephants".
The world's climate is changing and will continue to
change into the coming century at rates projected to be
unprecedented in recent human history. The risks
associated with these changes are real but highly
uncertain. And Bangladesh is likely to the one of the most
vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. In
order bring the information on potential threats of climate
change especially in this part of the world to the mass
community, YWCA initiated several events in the
reporting period. All the local branches organized special
sessions on environment conservation and climate
change through out the year. Colorful rallies and
environment fair was organized on the eve of World
Environment Day. The message of those events was :
“Your Planet Needs You - Get United to Combat Climate
Change." Beside, the YWCA has also developed a seven
minute video on the possible impacts of climate change
and the role of the youth in preventing them. The film was
produced with financial support from Norwegian Council
of Youth and technical support from Mr. Philip Gain.

In Birisiri, white clay is naturally

available. This clay is widely used for
pottery. Unplanned digging of the
clay is hazardous to the
environment. Business people,
especially from the mainland has
been involved for quite a long time in
unplanned earth digging in that area.

40
CAPACITY
Capacity building plays increasingly important roles in
sustaining programs and building high-performing
organization. YWCA of Bangladesh believes that capacity-
building helps to further development mission with a great

BUILDING dynamism. Staff, beneficiaries and stakeholders can benefit

from capacity building services at many different stages of
organizational life, size and budget. Peer learning and team
learning are good for capacity-building. Maximizing the human
capital generation result for sustainable development, these
processes enable staff and beneficiaries to contribute to
improving the organization and programmatic achievement.
So, YWCA of Bangladesh made capacity-building activity a
flagship component of overall development program.

Capacity-building accommodates different learning styles that

it brings many more good ideas into the learning processes.
YWCA of Bangladesh has its own history and culture. To do
effective capacity-building, it takes into account all of the
forces that shape its mission, values and organizational
culture. With this forwarding view, YWCA of Bangladesh is
consecutively initiating leadership & skill development and
awareness building trainings, workshops, seminars, meetings,
exchange programs, community convention, exposures on
Building capacity diverse development and social issues for the target groups.

Molding path to
Basing on solid professional skill development principles, the
main objective of its capacity building program is to build
further target capacity, develop leadership skill and raise awareness of the
staff, members and volunteers and to orient them to the
whole range of conceptual, methodological and
thematic aspects of development.
YWCA has been organizing intensive long- and short-
term trainings and apprenticeships for preparing staff and
beneficiaries to be integrated into the organization's work
with great eagerness and creativity. As a result, they are
being stimulated to hone their responsibilities, integrity,
critical thinking and interpersonal skill. Looking for new
means and ways of understanding and solving problems,
it is necessary to improve much-needed access to
technology and know-how constantly. Thinking over this,
YWCA of Bangladesh enables the staff to connect with a
widening circle of their peers through which they can
hear about new ideas, refer or be referred, share training
and connect with like-minded groups. In this case,
developed network is a resource with amazing potential
to trigger research, more discussion and more hard work
for all of the social issues.
As per the planning, in the year of July 2008 - 2009,
YWCA of Bangladesh organized 11 particular
Leadership Skill Development trainings/workshops and
provided opportunity for its staff & volunteers. Through
these trainings/seminars/workshops, YWCA of
Bangladesh has trained it's 543 staff and volunteer on
different issues of capacity building and leadership
development.
Training & Seminar
01. Workshop on Participatory Strategic
Planning: To evaluate the Participatory Strategic
planning process and to compile the strategic plan, two
consecutive workshops were organized by the YWCA of
Bangladesh on 27-29 July 2008 and on 16-17th August,
2008 at the Bangladesh YWCA Bhaban. General
Secretaries, Program Secretaries, Accountants of local
YWCAs and the senior staff of National YWCA attended
42
those workshops. The workshops were facilitated by
Development Consultant Mr. Probin Bihari Borua, Mr.
Mahbubul Islam, National General Secretary and Asst.
General Secretary of Bangladesh YWCA.
02. Health Workers In- Service Training:
Health Worker's In - Service training was organized by
the YWCA of Bangladesh for its Health Supervisor and
Community Workers at the Khulna YWCA Bhaban from
1-4th December 2008. The training was facilitated jointly
by World Vision Bangladesh, Sunderban ADP, PKSF and
YWCA of Bangladesh. The content of the training
included : Breast Cancer and its prevention, HIV/AIDS
and its global scenario, taking care of HIV/AIDS positive
people etc. The participant also visited a Health Clinics of
Zion Foundation and PKSF who works with the HIV
positive people.
03. Training on Project Management: Training
on Project Management was facilitated and organised by
PROSHIKA HDC Trust at their Koitta Human Resource
Kendra in Manikganj from 19- 23 October 2008. 6
participant attended this training from YWCA of
Bangladesh. In this training the participants got to know
about the concept of project, project cycle, concept and
functions of project management, project planning: types
and steps, leadership development, motivation and
counselling, conflict resolution, office and time
management, project monitoring and evaluation and
report writing.
04. Leaders of Influence Program,
Orientation for Women Leaders by Asia
Foundation at Dhaka & Gopalgonj,
Chandpur & Birisiri YWCA: From 6-7 October
2008 in Dhaka YWCA, 14-15 October in Gopalgonj
YWCA, 15 -16 February 2009 in Chandpur YWCA and 15
-16 March 2009 in Birisiri YWCA, the Asia Foundation
facilitated orientation workshops for the women leaders
of YWCA of Bangladesh and of civil society. 44 women
leaders in Dhaka, 50 in Gopalgonj, 55 in Chandpur and
58 women leaders in Birisiri attended these orientation
workshops. This orientations were a part of Leaders of
Influence Program facilitated by Asia Foundation of
Bangladesh and funded by USAID under the partnership
between the YWCA of Bangladesh and Asia Foundation.
The aim of this orientation program was to aware and
empower the women leaders of the society to contribute
in decision making process of their community and of
society.
05. Training on Tackling Basics of Pshycho-
social Counselling and Crisis Intervention:
From 23 -26th November 2008, the training on Tackling
Basics of Pshycho-social Counselling and crisis
intervention was organized by YWCA of Bangladesh with
the facilitation and support from Betsahour YMCA and
Jerusalem YMCA of Palestine. The venue of the training
was the BSFB Training Centre, Mirpur, Dhaka. Md.
Mahajanah and Umayma Shaharoor facilitated the
training on behalf of Betsahour YMCA and Jerusalem
YMCA of Palestine. Md. Inamul Haque, teacher of
Islamic University, supported with interpretation. Trauma
Counselling was the major topic of the training. The
contents also included: counselling, communication skill
development for counselling, stress, its symptoms,
counselling and stress management etc.
06. Follow-up Training on Functional
Literacy: The Follow - Up Training on Functional
Literacy was organized by Bangladesh YWCA and
facilitated by FIVDB. 23 Shebikas ( community worker)
from 13 local YWCAs attended this follow - up training.
07. Management Sharing Workshop: To share
all the managerial issues, to find out the solutions for
managerial disputes and to plan the managerial focus for
future, the Management Sharing Workshop was
organized by the YWCA of Bangladesh for its General
Secretaries, Asst. General Secretaries of local YWCAs
and senior staff of National YWCA from 3-7th March 2009
at the World Vision Office in Cox's Bazar.
08. Training on Logical Framework Approach
(LFA): PROSHIKA HDC Trust organised a Training on
Logical Framework Approach. Ten participants from
YWCA of Bangladesh participated in this training from
19-24th April 2009. The background, structure, matrix,
advantages of LFA, situation analysis, stakeholder
analysis, problem tree analysis, action plan, monitoring,
evaluation, identifying a project etc. were discussed in
detail in the training.
09. Orientation on Baseline Survey: On 24-25th
April 2009, YWCA of Bangladesh organized an
Orientation on Baseline Survey for the General
Secretaries, Program Secretaries, Accountants of Local
YWCAs. 45 Participants from 13 local YWCAs
participated in this training. The objective of the
orientation was to orient the participants about the need
of baseline survey to measure the current standard of our
beneficiaries through data collection, supervision and
analysis. Total survey process and the orientation was
accomplished with the support of Enterprise
Development Initiative ( EDI) .
10. Training on Micro-credit Policy: To introduce
the newly adopted Micro-finance Policy, to make
necessary changes in the process of implementing the
policy and to increase the effectiveness of the program for
a sustainable future, the training on the Micro-finance
Policy was organized at by the YWCA of Bangladesh from
9-11 June 2009 at the Bangladesh YWCA Bhaban and 69
participants including Community Supervisors,
community workers and National YWCA staff actively
participated in this training. Defining Entrepreneurship,
type of it, qualities of an entrepreneur, business planning,
production and marketing, accounting and book keeping,
income-expenditure analysis, balance sheet maintenance
etc. were in the content of the training. James Prodip
Biswas, Bina Adhikery and Juliate Keya Malakar from
YWCA of Bangladesh facilitate the training.
43_YWCA annual report 08-09

11. Training on Breast Cancer Support: The
Breast Cancer Support training was organised by
Asrukana Cancer Unit on 19-20 June 2009 with the
facilitation support from few doctors of ' Shanti Oncology
& Palliative Care' of Ahmed Medical Centre, Dhaka. From
13 local YWCAs, about 21 participants attended this
training who had the commitment to play the role of a
trainer in their own community on this issue after this
training. The participants were trained through
participatory method on the issue of Breast Cancer, early
detection, treatment and prevention. Participant also had
the opportunity to visit the 'Shanti Oncology & Palliative
Care' after the training.
Human Capacity Building
Extensive training courses organized for staff and
volunteers enhanced knowledge and skills and
generated self-confidence. This is seen in their
performance and energy to work with commitment and
competence. The selective and timely training provided
to staff, volunteers and beneficiaries unfolded their latent
leadership qualities to bring changes in the lives of
women. Exposure to other organizations, new concepts,
ideas and involvement with wider range of activities given
the staff, volunteers, target communities and
organization as a whole to take up new challenges and
explore new ideas. One of the examples could be; to
become actively involved in public protest, arbitrary
actions to be vocal in protecting women's right and joint
efforts at local and national level.
Institutional Capacity Building
The trained volunteers are showing a higher level of
commitment for the organization which is visible mostly in
their leadership skill, volunteerism and willingness for
strengthening the dynamics of the organization. The
training courses created ample opportunities for the
volunteers to lean more about YWCA, to have specific
44
knowledge on different topics and also to learn about
other organizations and their response to different
issues. It helped to strengthen their ownership for the
organizations, brought clarity on their role within the
organization and also to guide YWCA more effectively
than before. All these contributed to greater acceptance
of YWCA in the community.
The ample scope for staff education has also guided
YWCA to integrate capacity building as an important part
of the organization.
As a result of collective thirst to be more efficient, effective
and result oriented YWCA introduced program planning
matrix and reporting formats that includes the important
elements of LFA and Result Based Approach i.e.
program/activities, objectives, outcome, indicators etc.
The capacity building initiatives also - supported to gear
up the organizational networking of public relations
activities, equipped staff and volunteers with knowledge
on technical know-how for better management system.
Community Capacity Building
Various training activities have enhanced the awareness
level of the women, created access to information, and at
the same time gave them the self-confidence to get
organized for their rights.
The trained community members are already active in
addressing social issues. Greater awareness developed
among them on various issues like gender, reproductive
health, education, income generation etc. are very much
reflected in their daily life. The training knowledge
increased self-confidence among the beneficiaries.
Repeated numbers of training events developed
cohesiveness among them and created a platform to get
organized and address issues related to gender based
violence.
ORGANIZATIONAL
By implementing innovative ideas, revenue generating program
of YWCA of Bangladesh is being carried out with great
prosperity. Capitalizing on stakeholders' support from different

REVENUE level, YWCA of Bangladesh is going ahead with this program

through analysis, action planning, process change, technology
innovation and on-going study on critical components of

GENERATION successful revenue generation. By focusing on opportunities of

success in revenue generation, it is emphasizing on:
X high-potential demand and prospects of the services
X increasing performance measurement, management and
rewards
X identifying innovative multi-channel sales & marketing
technologies
X process improvement
X ongoing performance monitoring to help the organization
promote the accuracy and integrity.

Revenue generating program is playing a significant role as the

link between target beneficiaries and YWCA of Bangladesh. This
program is well-equipped with such twine key objectives as
creating livelihood development opportunities for the community
people and at the same time ensuring income generations for
the local YWCAs' self-sustenance. Counting on the local skills
and competence along with the existing ability of the branches,
this programmatic effort is being transmitted into implementation
Better efforts through structured teamwork and constructive organizing
capacity. Following major efforts were made by the local
Mattering more to YWCAs over the reporting period 2008-09 under revenue
greater tomorrow generating program -
Jute Craft
YWCA has several craft centers managed by the local
YWCAs. It was first initiated by the Dhaka YWCA in 1973
with the assistance from "Bread for the World" campaign.
The project aims to improve socio-economic condition of
the poor and marginalized women and young girls by
providing them skill training and creating job
opportunities. It also explores possibilities to create a
market for their produces at the local and international
level. At present, approximately 550 women and young
girls are working in the craft centers. To further enhance
their skills and to link them with update technology the
centre organized two skill-training seminars for a total of
140 participants. It also included women who were in
need of work, but have difficulties to work outside home.
Besides, it also arranged programs to increase their
awareness of saving, legal, health, nutrition and supports
with interest free loan. Many of the workers are also
mothers of YWCA's Free-school children.
Sales Centers
Total Six Local YWCAs namely Dhaka, Barisal, Comilla,
Birisiri, Chandpur and Barisal YWCA run shops to sell
books and stationery items for the students of their
schools, their guardians and general public. They also
sell various items produced by the beneficiaries and
goods as per customers' demand.
Short Courses
To unleash creative and aesthetic potentials of children
and adolescents and to generate revenue for the
organization six YWCAs are conducting short courses to
provide various skills to women and young girls. The
courses offered are; English conversation course, song,
dance, art, music etc. Around eight hundred students
annually attend these courses. Four of the local YWCAs -
Dhaka, Comilla, Chandpur and Birisiri are offering short
courses on Dressmaking (cutting and sewing),
Embroidery, Boutique and Block Printing, Cooking and
Confectionary, Hair Dressing and Beautification. The
target participants are adolescents (girls) and women of
16 years and above. The objective is to provide skills to
the target participants on the mentioned areas and also to
generate revenue for the organization. In the reporting
period, around 1000 participants attended those courses.
Besides, Dhaka and Khagrachari YWCA runs a beauty
parlor. The parlor offers services like, hair care, skin care,
beauty therapy, party make-up, bridal make-up etc.
Home Craft Center
The home craft center of Dhaka- YWCA produces various
bakery and food items. The products are different types of
bakery and food items like cake, light snacks, breakfast
etc. The main target customer group of this centre of
YWCA of Dhaka are students of their schools, their
guardians, participants in different training courses
organized by them, their staffs and general public.
Agriculture
To develop alternative earning skills and create income
opportunities for underprivileged women, YWCA of
Khagrachari runs agriculture project on about 50 acres of
land. They grow vegetables and fruits for selling in the
local market. They have also planted timber trees and
developed a rubber tree plantation on 10 acres of land.
Monjima - Sales Center
With an objective to create a market at national and
international level for handicrafts produced by the reference
women groups, National YWCA started a sales centre and
showroom called Monjima in the year 1999. Besides selling
own hand made products, Monjima also collects exclusives
items from local craftsmen, especially, items like; sarees,
children garments, potteries etc. Monjima has two outlets;
one in Mohammadpur and another one in Green Road.
Training Center & Guest House
With an objective to offer comfortable stay, safe food with
conference facilities for the clients besides revenue
generation YWCA has been operating training center cum
guest houses. Presently, it runs two such training centers
and guest houses. One is located at Mohammadpur and
another one in Birisiri. The centers have conference halls,
food and accommodation facilities. The main clients of
those centers are NGOs, development agencies, private
organizations, corporate bodies etc. YWCA also uses these
centers for its in-house training, workshops, seminars etc.
The centers are well known for their sincere and cordial
services. In the reporting period these centers rendered
services to around 100 organizations. The average annual
occupancy rate of the centers were around 60%.

CASE STUDY
Dulufa Begum age 45, has been working with YWCA for seven years. Before that she was a house wife. Her husband
was a rickshaw puller. One day, four years ago, he went out for work and never came back. Since then she neither heard
from him nor seen him. Disappearance of her husband made her helpless. She did not know what to do. One of her
neighbor informed her about YWCA. She then applied to the Craft Centre Manager, went through a month long training
and then got selected as a producer. This was a light of hope in the midst of endless darkness. Dulufa was a quick learner.
Soon enough she picked up the skills and could produce handicrafts items for export. She now can earn around TK. 4500
per month. Her income mostly depends on the amount of goods she produces per week. Sometimes she also works on
hourly basis. Dulufa has three children. The youngest daughter is studying in the YWCA free-school. Dulufa wants to earn
more, so that she can give her children education and make them capable of earning a better living.

46
SPECIAL Baseline Survey on Socio Economic
Conditions of YWCA Beneficiaries
YWCA undertook a baseline survey to identify socio-economic

PROGRAM status of beneficiaries. The baseline information helped to

gather information to evaluate performance of the programs
after implementation. The baseline survey was conducted

&
following the recommendations made in the strategic plan. The
strategic plan has recommended conducting the survey to
measure the prevailing situation of lifestyle of beneficiaries.

EVENT The global intent was to carry out a baseline survey to solicit
socio-economic information of existing beneficiaries of YWCA
Bangladesh for evaluating development of the status of
beneficiaries after completion of program's life cycle.

Specific intents of this survey were to measure the followings:

X status of access to education;
X status of access to health and family planning facilities;
X status of access to water and sanitation;
X status of women's access to family decision making;
X status of housing;

Special effort to X status of skills;

X
support core program status of income generation activities;
X status of distribution of income in different activities;
X status of savings and investment;
X status of wealth and land;
X status of access to social institutions; and
X status of access to local leadership (government and
non-government);
The survey followed random sampling. Sample sizes
varied from stratum to stratum based on the activities
conducted by YWCA in each stratum.
A brief on the survey result documented are as follows.
A total of 4,873 randomly selected beneficiaries of YWCA
were considered as sample for this survey spreaded over
the country. Among them 96.2 percent were female and
only 3.8 percent were male respondents. Average age of
the respondents was about 32 years from which 85.6
percent were married, 8.7 were single and only 4 percent
was widow. Among all the respondents 72.6 percents
were Muslims, 16.9 percent were Hindu and only 7
percent were Christian by religion. Average size of family
was about 5 and average age of marriage was 17 years.
About half of the respondents lived in town (general)
areas whereas 25.5 percent lived in town (slum) areas.
Only 23 percent respondents were living in village. More
than 83 percent of the total respondents belonged to a
single family whereas only 16.4 percent belonged to joint
families. About 40 percent of the total respondents were
found illiterate or having only ABC knowledge. Only 1.8
percent has been identified as graduates or having
higher educational degrees. Family-wise average
educational expense per month is Taka 1,191.
Majority of respondents (48.6%) were found to be
housewife whereas only 14 percent is engaged with
some sorts of services and 12 percent of the total
respondents are involved in business activities.
Almost all the respondents are having their residence in
less than 2 kilometers area from local administrative
center in an average. Among them more than 92 percent
respondents are using carpeting road while
communicating with local administrative center such as
upazilla sadar, union parisad, and municipality offices,
etc. Only 5.5 percent are using mud road in this case.
Only 20.5 percent of the total respondents are involved in
YWCA educational activities. From which 16.1 percents
are involved in free school activities and 2.7 percents are
involved in pay school activities. Among them more than
one family member are involved in YWCA education
activities for about 3 years on an average.
On the other hand, 65.5 percent of the total respondents
are involved in other than YWCA education activities
from which 53.7 percent are involved in pay school
48
activities and only 11.2 percent are involved in free
school activities. Among them on an average less than
two family members are involved in this for more than 6
years.
About 64% of YWCA beneficiaries have their own or
family owned houses whereas only 34 percent are living
in rented houses for which they have to pay Taka 1,767
per month on an average. On the contrary, 65.3 percent
of the total respondents or their families have about 21
decimal lands on an average. About 79 percent
respondents are dwelling in pacca, semi-pacca or tin
made houses whereas only 21 percents are living in a
house which is made of straw, bamboo or mud.
More than 74 percent respondents are using tubewell
water and 25.2 percent are using municipality supply
water for drinking purposes. At the same time more than
87 percent respondents are using either tubewell or
municipality supply water for household works.
About 42 percent of the total respondents are using wood
as fuel whereas 25.8 percent are using straw, cow dung,
leaf or jute stick and 31.5 percent of the total respondent
are using natural gas as fuel. On the other hand,
electricity is reported as lightening sources by majority of
the respondents (89.3%) whereas 10.5 percent were
reported using kerosene.
About 59 percent of the total respondents have already
and 1.8 percent partially completed vaccination for 1-5
years children of their families. On the other hand, about
81 percents of the total respondent has completed
vaccination for their women aged 15-49 during
pregnancy.
More than 93 percent of the total respondents are using
sanitary latrine. On the other hand, almost all (93.5%)
respondents suffered from some sorts of illness during
last one year whereas majority of them (55.4%) have
suffered by general diseases such as fever and cold, etc.
92 percent received treatment, among them more than
72 percent respondents have received treatment from
recognized sources such as government hospitals,
private clinics or registered doctors, only 1.4 percent
received treatment from YWCA health program.
About 79 percent of the total respondents believe and
have adopted family planning and they are using family
planning materials for six and half years on an average.
Each family has the average income of Taka 7,404 per
month where more than 94 percent of the total
respondents have other earning members in the family
such as their spouse or son. About 55 percent
respondents can save some amount of money from their
own earnings per month. On the other hand, 39 percent
of the total respondents are not involved with any
economic activities because of either they are always
busy with household work or they do not have
relevant/necessary education or training or their
husbands' disliking to women employment or they do not
get the appropriate jobs.
More than 70 percent of the total respondents have
received some amount of loan in last year and the
average size of the loan is Taka 12,824. About half of the
respondents, who had some amount of loan, have
reported that they have taken loan for their spouse
(husband). A large number of respondents (38.5%) have
used loan as current capital for their businesses.
More than 43 percent of total respondents or their family
members have purchased at least one new asset during
last one year and have spent Taka 23,584 on an average
for procuring these assets. Among them 22.7 percent
respondents have purchased furniture and 4.6 percents
domestic animals.
More than half (57.6%) of the total female married
respondents are taking their family's savings or
Investment decisions either by their own or by mutual
understanding with their husbands or any other family
members. But in the case of major expenditure related
decisions, 45 percent respondents have reported that
most of such decisions are taken by their husbands alone
or by other family members. Majority of respondents
(73.8%) take child bearing decisions by mutual
understanding with their husbands. On the other hand, a
large number of the respondents (42.6%) get due respect
and honor as well as importance in all types of works by
their respective husband.
More than half of the total female married respondents
(51.5%) are taking their personal health care decisions
either by their own or with their husband. On the other
hand, 65.7 percent of the respondents take their children's
health care decisions either by their own or with
participation of their husband. About 65 percent of the total
female married respondents are taking their children's
education decisions either by their own or with their
husband's participation. More than 31 percent women
have active participation in their family decision making.
More than 58 percent of total respondents who take
family planning devices belong to a moderate size of
family (4-5 members). About 52 percent respondents
who have more than Taka 10,000 income per month
consists of mid size family (4.5 members) whereas this
percentage is only 10.9 who have less than 3 members
in the family. More than 55 percent of the total
respondents who have received loan last year belong to
a family that consists of four to five members, whereas
this percentage is only 17.9 for smaller family (less than
3 members).
Respondents who were comparatively less educated
(below S.S.C.) mostly were using tubewell or municipality
supply water whereas this percentage is much lower for
educated respondents (S.S.C. & Higher). Similar result
has also been observed for sources of household water.
Less educated respondents have more tendency of
taking loan than educated respondents. Almost 88
percent respondents who received loan in last year have
not completed S.S.C. Majority of respondents who have
not completed or partially completed life saving
vaccination for their 1-5 years children are from low
education or illiterate groups whereas only 7.4 percent
educated respondents have not completed vaccination.
On the other hand, it was observed that completion of
vaccination during pregnancy is much higher among less
educated respondents. About 89 percent respondents
who have completed vaccination for women aged 15-49
during pregnancy period are from less educated group of
the respondents. Only 5 percent educated respondents
are found who have not completed vaccination.
More than 94 percents of the total respondents who are
using Kacha latrine are from less educated (below
S.S.C.) group. Unrecognized sources of treatment
(pharmacy/village doctor, homeopathy, kabiraj, and
others) are mostly used by less educated or illiterate
respondents (93.3%) whereas this percentage is only 6.7
for educated respondents.
More than 91 percent respondents, who have more than
Taka 10,000 as monthly income, were found using
recognized sources for treatment. On the other hand,
about 30 percent of the respondents who have income
below Taka 5,000 were using unrecognized sources
(pharmacy/village doctor, homeopathy, kabiraj and
others) for treatment. About 89 percent of the total
respondents who have income of more than Tk. 10,000
per month can save some money.
More than 85 percent of the total respondents from single
family believe in family planning. At the same time, it was
also observed that, respondents who have some sort of
savings per month mostly belonged to single family
(82.5%) whereas this percentage is only 17.2 in case of
joint families. On the other hand, it was observed that
respondent who has taken loan in the last one year
mostly (83.8%) belonged to single families. Only 16
percent belonged to joint families who received loan in
last one year.
Breast Cancer Walk
Breast Cancer has been found as the 2nd most common
cancer worldwide, comprising of 18-24% of all female
cancer. In Bangladesh, Breast Cancer is one of the most
common cancer, comprises of the same percentage, i.e.
49_YWCA annual report 08-09
18-24% of all female cancer. Female of 40 years and
above are the common victims. Two third of the all female
suffering from Breast Cancer are above 40 years of age.
Not only female, but male can also be affected, however,
with a very rare occurrence rate. In such case male to
female ration is 1:100.
Unfortunately, in Bangladesh, due to lack of awareness
about Breast Cancer, most of the cases are detected at
stage II and above. It is observed that more than 60% of
the cases were at stage II and III at presentation, while
only less than 5% found at stage I. About 30% cases
detected at stage IV or at locally advanced stage. For
most of the cases the late diagnosis occurred due to lack
of awareness, lack of counseling, cultural & religious
barriers, socioeconomic condition and inadequate
diagnostic facilities. These barriers and the risk factors
may result delay in diagnosis from 6 months to 5 years,
on an average one year.
However, it has been proven that Breast Cancer is a self
diagnosed disease and prevention of Breast Cancer is
possible. By changing the lifestyle the risk factors can be
reduced. For example, maintaining normal weight,
exercise, diet containing of plenty of fruits and
vegetables, breast feeding, avoiding unnecessary
radiation exposure reduce the risk factors.
Early detection is another important aspect of the Breast
Cancer. Awareness about breast cancer and someone's
own health, learning breast self examination (BSE),
practicing BSE monthly starting from the age 20 up to
whole life, consulting doctors even for any insignificant
changes or abnormality helps early detection of Breast
Cancer.
YWCA of Bangladesh, as a movement working with all
women, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, strives to
address the issue of women's Breast Cancer and
believes that by raising awareness among women on
such issue is essential in the context of Bangladesh.
With that end, to create mass awareness on the issue of
breast cancer, specially among the women, and to
promote the breast self examination (BSE) for early
detection of breast cancer, the YWCA of Bangladesh
celebrates Breast Cancer Month. Breast Cancer
Awareness Month (BCAM) is an annual international
health campaign organized every October to increase
awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research
into its cause, prevention and cure. Through this
campaign YWCA offers information and support to those
affected by and vulnerable to breast cancer. As well as
providing a platform to raise awareness of the disease,
this is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be
best aware for earlier detection.
In order to create mass awareness, YWCA of
Bangladesh continued a month long awareness raising
activities jointly with The Daily Prothom Alo. A rally was
brought out named "Breast Cancer Walk", in Dhaka
where representatives from all 13 local branches, YWCA
volunteers, staff members, students, youth members,
program beneficiaries, and other NGO/organization
representatives, professionals like Doctor and nurses,
media personnel, celebrities participated. The Rally
started from the front of National Museum and ended up
in the campus of National Shishu (Children) Academy.
About 1,500 women & man irrespective of age and
profession, participated in this rally.
Ms. Rasheda K. Chowdhury, former Adviser of Care-
taker Government of Bangladesh, accompanied by Janet
Mary Gomes, the Vice- President of YWCA of
Bangladesh, Ms. Shirin Akter from Karmojibi Nari, Ms.
Rina Das, Consultant, YWCA- National Board of
Management and Ms. Joyce Mormita Das, National
General Secretary of YWCA of Bangladesh, inaugurated
this rally.
Internationally, pink ribbon is the symbol of Breast
Cancer Awareness. Therefore, the color pink was widely
used for most of the visibility items for the campaign. It
has been observed that pink ribbon symbol is not yet
known by mass people of the country. So using pink color
in every visibility item was helpful to introducing the
symbolic color to the mass people.
After the Breast Cancer Walk a discussion meeting was
held on the same day at Shishu Academy Auditorium.
About 600 participants attended the discussion session.
The Chief Guest and Special Guests spoke on the cause.
The Media Partners of the Campaign were Channel I and
Radio Today. It was also cooperated by Ayesha Memorial
Specialized Hospital Pvt. Ltd, the Christian Co-Operative
Credit Union (Ltd.) and Sonofi Aventis Bangladesh Ltd.
Special Program
Day care:
For a variety of personal and economic reasons many
mothers with young children today work outside the
home and can no longer fill the traditional responsibilities
of home and childcare. Besides, change in the family
structure, i.e. Because children's early experiences and
relationships with caregivers have a significant influence
on their future development and achievements, the
quality of their care is an important concern for all.
Keeping in mind those issues and to respond to the
changing needs of the society the Dhaka YWCA runs a
Day Care Center, where children from 2-7 years are
enrolled. In the reporting period, the centre had 21
children.
Youth hostel:
YWCA of Dhaka is running a ladies hostel at its own
campus. The objective is to provide safe accommodation
for young women coming form different parts of
Bangladesh to Dhaka City for the purpose of study or
work. At present, the hostel is housing about 120
boarders.
Sr. Citizen's Home:
In order to provide the elderly with a place where they
would not have to worry about fees and day to day
expenses the Dhaka YWCA started a home for the
52
elderly people in 2008. The aim is to create a relaxed,
peaceful and happy environment for the elderly where
they can reminisce about the 'old times' and cherish their
memories in peace. Today the Savar Old Age Home
houses 8 women over the age of sixty years, since that
is the minimum age to get in; most of the women are
widowed. The total accommodation capacity of the Savar
Old Age Home is forty people. It was designed and
constructed in such a way that it would accommodate
twenty men and twenty women. Within the premises
there is also a medical consultation room where the
doctor conducts check ups on the residents twice a
week. There is also an in-house nurse who lives on the
premises, in case of emergencies. To keep the residents
of the home happy and cheerful, often special cultural
and religious events are organized.
CONCLUSION
It is very much necessary to keep pragmatic balance among the
different development priorities for implementing development
programs at community level in down-to-earth method. With this
point of view, YWCA of Bangladesh is having a crucial role to
play in ameliorating sufferings of disadvantaged community
people especially the destitute women. Over the reporting
period 2008-09, it supported their efforts phenomenally through
institutional capacity building activities and other social
assistances to tackle poverty and advance pro-poor, inclusive
growth and human development for all.

Supplementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),

YWCA of Bangladesh has been shaking up its community based
interventions basing on exclusive efforts through inclusive
approaches. There are no doubt that all kinds of poverty and its
net of far-reaching drastic consequences lie at the heart of the
social vulnerabilities most notably ignorance, illiteracy, ill-health,
malnutrition, susceptibility to environmental pollution and the list
Campaigning for goes on. Considering this multidimensional nature of poverty,

community
YWCA of Bangladesh worked with a wide range of committed
stakeholders dedicated to fight indigence more effectively in this
empowerment year. It is continuously counting on their valuable assistance to
achieve the organizational goals and objectives as well as
Contributing to complement sustainable development in true sense.
sustainable More over, YWCA of Bangladesh was very much conscious of
development maintaining a continuous process to formulate and review need-
based organizational polices and strategies on different
relevant issues over the years like 2008-09. These
policies and strategies kept the YWCA enabled to
perform effectively coping with time and demand. During
the reporting period, it gained the following significant
lessons learned in campaigning for community
empowerment -
X creating inclusive environment at community level in
true sense is very helpful for women to develop their
potential
X focusing on life skill & livelihood development of
women and young girls makes the development
program integrated effectively
X stakeholders' participation at different level
enhances the scope of collective action for
sustainable achievement
X there is no option of timely and comprehensive
promotional activity in keeping the program on the
right track.
The prioritization of human resource development
promoted and mainstreamed into development thinking
was taken by YWCA of Bangladesh on challenges with
exceptional passion and commitment. Consequently, the
2008-09 has been marked with a remarkable progress in
the coverage of life skill development of the
underprivileged community people to make them agents
of social pragmatic change. The major challenges YWCA
faced in the reporting period are -
X Transforming YWCA more into a rights based
organization
X Enhancing and developing professionalism among
staff and members
X Surfacing the development image of YWCA other
than schools
X Strengthening ownership and active participation of
volunteers and members
X Maintaining a proper balance between quantitative
achievement and quality of services
X Gaining economic self-reliance and
X Resource mobilization.
Through out this year, the great achievement is that
YWCA of Bangladesh gained enough confidence of the
target people and its members for its earnestness and
sincerity in furthering the development objectives and
goal as a whole. Taking advantage of this confidence, it
was courageous and enterprising all-time to develop the
leadership and collective power of women and girls at
54
community level to achieve justice, peace, health, human
dignity and a sustainable environment for all people.
Acknowledgement
Basing on the collective assistances from the staff and
volunteers of YWCA of Bangladesh at different level, it
has been possible to publish the report 2008-09
successfully. Their heartfelt involvement was the main
resource in planning and designing this report.
Simultaneously, community people's participation
through providing their views & opinions in this aspect
made this activity more significant as well. With deep
gratitude, YWCA of Bangladesh is acknowledging their
contributions. Sincere thanks also go to the senior
management team of YWCA of Bangladesh for their
necessary guidance, suggestions and assistance for the
report 2008-09. During this period, YWCA of Bangladesh
received financial, ethical and timely support and
direction from different levels of donors and stakeholders.
YWCA of Bangladesh essentially grateful to them,
especially thankful to:
X NGO Affairs Bureau, Government of Bangladesh
X World YWCA
X HORYZON, Switzerland
X KFUK-KFUM Global, Norway
X Buskerud KFUK-KFUM, Norway
X Misereor, Germany
X Ms Turid Werrum
X Partner Organizations
X Sister NGOs, Women Organizations, Churches
X National President and Members of Headquarter
Based Board of Management
X President and Board members of Local YWCAs
X Finally, last but not the least all the staff members of
Local YWCAs and National YWCA.
Our Partners
X World YWCA, Switzerland
X Horyzon, Switzerland
X YWCA-YMCA - Global, Norway (KFUK-KFUM -
Global)
X Buskerud YWCA-YMCA, Norway (Buskerud KFUK-
KFUM)
X Leir TenSing, Norway
X MISEREOR, Germany
X Stiching Chittagong, The Netherlands
X The Asia Foundation - Bangladesh.
 YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (YWCA) OF BANGLADESH
BALANCE SHEET
AS ON 30 JUNE 2009

PROPERTY AND ASSETS Note Amount in Taka

2008-2009 2007-2008
Fixed Assets 3.0 188,316,745 164,672,763
Current Assets 4.0 44,837,644 59,881,950
Closing Stock 4.1 6,332,198 5,592,245
Loan & Advance 4.2 4,681,592 12,927,454
Accounts Receivable 4.3 73,020 73,020
Sundry Debtors 4.4 2,832,950 2,867,025
Group Loan 4.5 1,750 1,750
Loan - Branch / Group, from ERF 2,063,389 -
Loan - Reserve Fund 378,680 -
Receivable from Branches 1,925,133 -
Loan - Beneficiaries 183,330 -
Cash & Bank 4.6 26,365,602 38,420,456
Total 233,154,389 224,554,712
FUND AND LIABILITIES
Capital Fund 156,550,691 144,287,009
Balance as per last account 144,287,009 186,719,039
Add: Excess of Income over Expenditure 2,156,177 14,841,165
Less: Excess of Expenditure over Income (14,730,233)
Add :Fund received for Building -
Add: Transfer from Reserve fund - -
Less: Transfer to Reserve fund - -
Add: Fund Account 541,013
Add/(less): Adjustment during the year 10,107,505 (42,953,975)
Add : Emergency Reserve Fund - -
Add: Transfer from Savings Fund - 10,000
Less: Transfer to Emergency Medical Fund - (140,000)
Asrukana Cancer Unit 2,000 2,000
Emergency Medical Fund: - 2,235,343
Balance as per last account 2,235,343 2,059,597
Add: Bank interest received during the year - 35,746
Less:Transfer to Medical Fund Reserve (2,235,343) 140,000
Reserve Fund 69,439,039 69,438,749
Balance as per last account 69,438,749 37,712,960
Add: Bank interest received during the year 290 105,414
Add: Transfer from Capital Fund - -
Add: Transfer during the year - 31,620,375
Less: Bank Charge - -
Less: Transfer to Capital Fund - -
Current Liabilities 5.0 7,162,659 8,591,611
Accounts Payable 5.1 5,230,582 3,957,012
Loan/Loan Taken 5.2 1,932,077 4,554,599
Unearned Rent 5.3 - 80,000
Excess in Stock - -
Total 233,154,389 224,554,712
As per our Report of date annexed

As per our Report of date annexed

Dhaka National General Secretary (A. K. DEB & CO.)

28 December 2008 YWCA of Bangladesh CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Notes