Bangladesh

Where We Work

Bangladesh

Context

Bangladesh recorded 31 violent extremist attacks and seven fatalities in 2018 and is currently ranked 31 on the Global Terrorism Index of 2019, an improvement on the previous year. However, shifts in recruitment tactics continue to present a challenge with recent attacks perpetrated by educated, urban, middle class youth. Since August 2017, Bangladesh has experienced an increase in forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals from Rakine State to Cox’s Bazar. As of January 2020, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimated the number had reached 915,000, with the majority reliant on humanitarian assistance.

Violent extremist groups are reportedly recruiting in refugee camps and youth idleness has been identified as a risk factor. Clashes between camp residents and the host community have raised tensions between the groups. Women have also been approached to help spread violent extremist messages in aid of recruitment.

In 2019, the government developed a National Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism strategy.

STORIES FROM THE GROUND

Bringing local success to a global stage

In 2019, GCERF grant recipient, Rupantar, was recognised in an international prize. GCERF nominated Rupantar for the Global Pluralism Award for its ability to work in complex settings and connect diverse youth in the name of tolerance. Rupantar impressed the jury with their creative approach of using cultural performances to address sensitive social issues. In awarding Rupantar an honorable mention, the jury noted Rupantar’s unique approach to complex issues. “Rupantar is truly working at the grassroots- mobilising the most vulnerable in Bangladesh, including women and youth – to help build a vibrant democracy,” the former Prime Minister of Canada and Chair for the Global Pluralism Award Jury, Joe Clark, said.

Pathways to Change

GCERF is addressing the drivers of violent extremism that make the local environment conducive to violent extremism. Activities focus on youth, women, forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals and host communities. GCERF invests in programming which aims to:

Equip young people with the skills to mobilise, organise and represent their own interests when engaging with local authorities on topics that concern them.
Provide skills training and opportunities for youth to participate in sporting competitions, debates and interfaith dialogues.
Train religious leaders, journalists and local leaders on how to prevent violent extremism.
Strengthen women’s resilience to violent extremism through courtyard meetings and awareness raising events.
Disseminate messages of peace through radio and cultural performances.

Social Cohesion

241,350 community members, 68 percent of the total reached in 2018, were directly engaged in social cohesion activities. 48,200 women participated in courtyard meetings to discuss PVE 13,300 youth were engaged in community-based youth forums, PVE sharing sessions, and cultural or sports programmes 4,900 youth, including nearly 2,000 girls, participated in sports programmes in schools and madrasas (Madrasa girls were encouraged to participate in these mixed, public social events to develop their confidence in the public sphere.) 8,300 religious leaders participated in interfaith dialogues on social cohesion

Community Agency

69,900 community members (36,200 men and 33,700 women) participated in activities designed to build resilience through community mobilisation and advocacy:

1,803 local authorities attended law and order committee meetings and orientations
22,700 parents and teachers attended a total of 400 meetings with school and madrasa management committees
3,200 women attended women’s gatherings to raise awareness of violent extremism and effective responses
2,100 civil society representatives, journalists, religious leaders, and local authorities participated in roundtable discussions, trainings, and community consultation meetings

Equal Access to Opportunities

4,900 vulnerable youth (2,300 young men and 2,700 young women) participated in vocational skills training programmes tailored to meet the demands of the local labour market (based on consultations with local business associations and employers), and some received start-up funding.

1,500 youth received training in vocational skills

1,400 youth received business management and entrepreneurship training

240 trained youth received small grants as start-up capital to launch their own businesses

747 youth were linked to the job market through job fairs and meetings with employers

Sense of Purpose

69,900 community members (36,200 men and 33,700 women) participated in activities designed to build resilience through community mobilisation and advocacy:

49,900 youth (24,600 boys and 25,300 girls) participated in activities such as:
4,500 students participated in student engagement events, where they learned to design their own PVE awareness-raising initiatives
2,300 students participated in moderated debate festivals on PVE
200 young men and women participated in a total of 11 cultural development workshops hosted by local theatre groups