SMC observed the "16 Days of Activism Campaign" against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in 112 upazilas of Bangladesh during November 25 to December 10, 2023. SMC is implementing its community mobilization program in all these upazilas. To commemorate the theme of the campaign "Unite! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls", the Community Mobilization team of SMC conducted a total of 2,461 courtyard sessions and 138 adolescent health sessions to focus GBV. Approximately, 33,575 married women of reproductive age (MWRA) and 4,576 adolescents attended these sessions.

Also, 63,500 leaflets were distributed among the participants containing GBV preventive messages including information (hotline numbers) relating to legal aid and counseling, treatment and rehabilitation for the victims of violence etc. Government officials from local administration, elected representatives, community influentials, school teachers, parents of different areas attended many of these events and highly appreciated to initiate such a wonderful activity.

Source: Newsletter-47 (October-December), 2023