UBR -2 Project

Unite for Body Rights-2 Project 

The Unite for Body Rights (UBR) program is an alliance known by the name “UBR Bangladesh Alliance” started its 4 years 2nd Phase from January, 2016. The three main pillars of UBR are: 1. Strengthening comprehensive sexuality education (CSE); 2. Youth Friendly SRHR Services (YFS) and 3. Creating an enabling environment in which each individual can exercise their sexual and reproductive rights.

During this phase UBR project is being implemented in 12 Upazilas (Sub-District) namely:

Barhatta, Netrokona, Durgapur, Modhyanagar, Gazipur, Chittagong, Pabna, Noakhali, Rajasthali, Kawkhali, Savar and MymensinghSadar.

UBR Phase 2 is operating through:

  • A Coordinating body - UBR Bangladesh Alliance Secretariat.
  • Six Implementing partners: Association for Prevention of Septic Abortion, Bangladesh (BAPSA); Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS); Dushta Shasthya Kendra (DSK); Family Planning Association of Bangladesh (FPAB), Population Services and Training Center (PSTC) and Reproductive Health Services Training and Education Program (RHSTEP).
  • Five technical partners include: Bondhu Social Welfare Society (BSWS); BRAC Institute of Educational Development; Naripokkho; Simavi and Rutgers.

BAPSA is implementing the UBR project in MymensinghSadarUpazila of Mymensingh district.

Overall Goal:

The overall goal of UBR project is, “All young people, living in poor rural and (semi) urban areas in 12 Upazillas, irrespective of their age, gender, social background or sexual preference know their rights, take informed decisions about their sexual reproductive health and have access to high quality, youth friendly sexual reproductive health services within a supportive socio-cultural and political environment”.

Dimension and areas of operation of UBR 2: 

UBR-2 believes that access to quality information and services will lead to good sexual and reproductive health of young people, which will lead to healthier communities. The Unite for Body Rights (UBR) program in Bangladesh focuses on improving SRHR knowledge and access to services, by providing Comprehensive Sexuality Education, improving health providers’ capacity to provide Youth Friendly SRHR services, and working with communities to create a more supportive environment in which young people can attain their SRH rights. In addition, The project will ensure a fully capacitated SRHR Alliance, which works towards achieving good sexual reproductive health for young people and exists without the need for external support through-

Outcome 1: Young people (10 – 19 year) living in rural and (semi) urban areas in 12 upazilas are increasingly aware of their SRH rights and have knowledge and skills to make informed decisions regarding their sexual reproductive health.

Outcome 2: Young people (10 – 24) living in poor rural and (semi)urban areas in 12 Upazilas have access to SRHR services that adhere to the national standards.

Outcome 3: An increasingly SRHR friendly supportive enabling environment ensures sustainability of access to YFS and CSE in 12 Upazilas.

Outcome 4: Contribute to the development of (national) governmental policies and programs that include youth-friendly SRH education and services.

Donor:

The Unite for Body Rights program (UBR-2) is supported by Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN).

Special achievements:

As in day celebration observance Dated on 21/07/2016 During the observation of “World Population Day -2016” on 21.07.2016, a special award was given to UBR-BAPSA, Mymensingh as the Best performer in the field of SRHR by the Divisional Commissioner, Mymensingh Division.

Upcoming Important events:

  • Train teachers on the implementation of the CSE curriculum (computer and printed version) following the updated Me & My World (MMW) curriculum and implementation of parents and community stakeholder awareness activities.
  • Organize coordination meetings with teachers.
  • Establish and train student alumni group, to organize wall magazine, quizzes and debate as co curriculum in educational Institution.
  • Orient headmasters, Teachers and SMC along with Education officers about the importance of CSE in schools and the two models National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) or Me and My World (MMW) and to integrate in Regular Lesson Plan.
  • Organize exhibitions on MMW (model schools) to attract new schools/ share best practice jointly with EdIs.
  • Ensure 4,000 young people visiting Youth Centres.
  • Mobilize young people to attend SRHR information sessions through awareness raising by Youth Organizers.
  • Support the set-up and running of Youth Corners in Government Health Complex/Union sub center by providing materials and training health workers.
  • Integrate UBR Youth Corners into schools and capacitate teachers and students to manage them and ensure provision of SRHR information.
  • Train Youth Organizers to create awareness of the availability of YFSRHR services.
  • Organize 1 health camps in 30 schools per year.
  • Joint visit & service monitoring of Govt. facilities.
  • Distribute health referral cards – with contact details of service providers – at Health Camps.
  • Organize meetings with community leaders to sensitize them about SRHR and exhibition.
  • Organize parent meetings in EDI, to educate them about SRHR and inform them about the CSE program in the schools.
  • Advocacy training for young people to play role in UBR advocacy at national level as youth advocates.
  • Youth Participation in all Types of Meeting.
  • Young people take the lead in the celebration of national days such as Youth Day, Youth Caravan and Youth Fair - no cost - integrated in National Day Celebration.
  • Orient Government Health Officers and Civil Surgeons to monitor quality of YFS with the use of comprehensive assessment tool for quality developed by M&E group.
  • Create linkages with other relevant advocacy networks and partners with similar agendas.
  • Orient teachers and head masters to support our advocacy agenda and to use their network to actively advocate for inclusion of CSE in the curriculum.
  • Establish strong relationships with Upazila/ District Education/Health and Family Planning Officers to involve them in advocacy Input.
  • Organize exposure visits to model UBR schools for Education Officers to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion of CSE in Teacher Training Curriculum.
  • Social Accountability roll out in Upazila.