Fra(m)menti & Share-Net Bangladesh 2022 by Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen

FRA(M)MENTI & SHARE-NET BANGLADESH 2022

from hubs to bubs

linking research policy and practice to critical creativity

ng arch po a rractice ttical creativ

olicy e About: “From Hubs to Bubs: Linking Research, Policy and Practice to Critical Creativity”.

This is a one-issue-only magazine on the 10th Annual Conference by ShareNet on Linking Research, Policy and Practice, an event that traditionally brings together policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender equality, and women’s empowerment (GEWE) in international development.

The focus lies on the work of young professionals who have recently submitted or are in the process of finishing research as part of a Master’s

program, postgraduate degree, research internship, or research consultancy. The magazine is structured in line with the original conference programme: some young researchers presented on Share-Net country hub contexts (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Burundi & Burkina Faso, the Netherlands and Colombia) while other international contexts were grouped into three international sessions (Maternal and Menstrual health, SRHR & education and Underexposed perspectives). What we hope to achieve with this magazine is to, first and foremost, highlight the researches and voices of the young researchers who presented their work, but also to transform theory into praxis into what we like to call critical creativity. Academic research and data will be entangled with poetry and illustrations, with photography and prose, with loud slogans and subtle colours liberating the noise and messiness of art whilst maintaining a critical approach to how we can imbue the world with meaning.

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Share-Net International Share-Net International is a knowledge platform for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Share-Net has 7 country hubs in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Colombia, Ethiopia, Jordan, and the Netherlands, and facilitates training, conferences, and events. They also host the Share-Net International Digital Platform: an extensive e-library of SRHR articles,

research papers, and reports, and continuously publish the latest SRHR knowledge from their country hubs and members. Their mission is realized through strengthening links between research, policy, and practice, through knowledge sharing, generating, translating, and promoting the use of knowledge for the development of better policies and practices in SRHR.

Fra(m)menti Fra(m)menti (from the Italian “fragments”, but also “among minds”), is a transfeminist queer artistic collective based in Milan. We operate both online and offline, organizing cultural and educational events that discuss intersectional feminist topics through the lens of artistic practice,

for we believe that to be a unique site for critical creativity. The collective currently counts 9 people, all invested in creating an accessible, care-oriented, safe(r) space where we value pluralism, celebrate differences, practice mutualism and inclusivity, and suspend all judgment.

A moment to position ourselves We want to take a moment to share that Fra(m)menti collective is made up of a majority of European, white, middle-class, young people. Our gazes hold power and they are inevitably distorted by these privileged positionalities we inhabit. In an ideal world where time and money are not constraints, we would have worked on facilitating rather than actively creating content for those regions of the globe that the researchers focus on and that we have very little knowledge of; we would have collaborated more in-depth with artists and cultural troublemakers from those countries, inviting them to do with this space what they will. For now, we have invited local artists to create illustrations and have remunerated their work to the best of our abilities - you will find their work as covers for the various regional sections, prepare to be blown away by their beauty! We would like to hold space for anybody who would like to comment, share, correct or express any concern and we invite you to contact us at frammenti.m@gmail.com

what does it mean?

AYFHS ANC AOR ASRH CMS CSE DHO EBF ED EMR FP GBV GGR HPV HF HW IPV LLH LMIC MHM MMR MYP OOP OV PNLE PPP RMC SDG SDH SP SRHR STI TASH UHC UNSW WPVH WASH

Analysis of Youth-Friendly Health Services National Antenatal Care Adjusted Odds Ratio Adolescent and Sexual Reproductive Health Critical Menstruation Studies Comprehensive Sexual Education District Health Office Exclusive Breastfeeding Emergency Department East Mediterranean Region Family Planning Gender-Based Violence Global Gag Rule Human Papillomavirus Health Financing Health Workers Intimate Partner Violence Life, Love and Health Low and Middle Income Countries Menstrual Health Management Maternal Mortality Rate Meaningful Youth Participation Out-Of-Pocket (Insurance) Obstetric Violence Plan National de Lutte contre l’Excision Public-Private Partnership Respectful Maternal Care Sustainable Development Goal Social Determinants of Health Service Provider Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Sexually Transmissible Infections Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Universal Health Coverage Undocumented Nigerian Sex Worker Workplace Violence in Healthcare Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

00 01 Intro ‡ ‡ ‡

About the Zine Fra(m)menti & Share-Net Glossary

Share-Net Bangladesh

table of contents

topic keys Pregnancy and Birth Covid and SRHR Mental Health Sexual and Menstrual Health Knowledge Gaps and Recommentations Gender and Sexual Orientation Sex Work Artistic Contribution

BANGLADESH Moderator: Dr. Khadija Khatun University of Chittagong Discussant: Dr. Sanzida Akhter University of Dhaka

Paternity Leave: Fulsome or Need of Time

Accessing SRHR services during COVID 19: Scenario of Bangladesh

Searching for Light at the End of the Tunnel; An analysis of Bangladeshi women’s helpseeking process following intimate partner violence.

Nasheen Jahar Nasir

By Rezwana Shahrin (she/her) University of Dhaka

01 BANGLADESH

PATERNITY LEAVE: FULSOME OR NEED OF TIME The Mother of all Questions: Can introducing paternity leave play a significant positive role in both family sphere and workplace by giving opportunity to the father to contribute more in the family and revise the gendered division of labour?

In Bangladesh today, the rapid urbanization leads to the dissolution of the extended family and requires a mother to join the workforce. She is allowed to take 6 months of maternity leave. But after that, a father must step in to fill up the vacancy and the new generation of fathers might even want to be more involved with their families. That is why they need structural support like paternity leave. However this remains one of the most unexplored areas in Bangladesh.

METHO -DOLOGY

Surveys with 18 respondents, both fathers who get paternity leave and fathers who do not - their spouses were also included for the sake of enriching the research findings; service holders of government, non-government and multinational sectors were also interviewed. To establish the data with strong arguments, 2 gender specialists were also interviewed. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡

Paternity leave is a right of the father as maternity leave is right of the mother; Economic growth will not be hampered because of paternity leave; The labour market will see a positive impact; Mental and physical health can be ensured; Equality in society can come nearer to reach; The family bond will increase.

RECOMMAN DATIONS

FINDINGS

Social role theory with focus on two concepts: parental role and fatherhood, and masculinity and paternity.

‡ Paternity leave for 15 days is not sufficient for almost 70% of the respondents. They feel that if the father is spared for only 15 days, then this will remain as some leisure hours only and will not be effective. As maternity leave is given for 6 months, paternity leave should be given for at least 1 month to the fathers. Initially 15 days can be sanctioned to observe the impact, but eventually the time should be increased. ‡ Fathers should be allowed to take the leave in installments or according to their necessity.

‡ Full fledged salary must be given to the employees during the leave period, otherwise they will be discouraged to take the leave. ‡ No engagement of the father should be created with office. He shall not be sent any mail or reports during this period. ‡ This leave should be obligatory for all the government, non-government and multinational corporations. It should be included in the workers’policy. Even business persons should be encouraged to take some time off. Overall implementation must be ensured. ‡ The celebration of paternity leave should be equal to maternity leave. Constant promotion of the positive impact of the leave should be spreaded through the media. ‡ Examples can be taken from other countries to evaluate the process of leave. But policy makers must keep in mind the socio-cultural and financial background of the employees.

The celebration of paternity leave should be equal to maternity leave. Constant promotion of the positive impact of the leave should be spread through the media. 19

bell hooks

The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love To create loving men, we must love males. Loving maleness is different from praising and rewarding males for living up to sexist-defined notions of male identity. Caring about men because of what they do for us is not the same as loving males for simply being.

In patriarchal culture males are not allowed simply to be who they are and to glory in their

When we love maleness, we extend our love whether males are

unique identity. Their value is always determined by what they do.

performing or not. Performance is different from simply being.

In an anti-patriarchal culture males do not have to prove their value and worth. They know from birth that simply being gives them value, the right to be cherished and loved.

Francesca Martelli

By Tahia Rahman (she/her) Centre for Men and Masculinities Studies Dhaka

02 BANGLADESH

ACCESSING SRHR SERVICES DURING COVID-19: SCENARIO OF BANGLADESH

The COVID-19 pandemic has made life harder for people of all ages. Some of the people have been struggling to even ensure their basic necessities, as resources and opportunities are scarce.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights was the field which saw a dire need of attention. As part of the project titled BraveMen Campaign on Covid-19, data was collected on violation of the rights in accessing SRHR services during Covid-19 crisis, from all the eight divisions in Bangladesh. 23

Equal acce and oppor of service still far to achieve.

‡ Moral and gender education combined with sex education; ‡ Prioritizing mental health issues; ‡ Community awareness and education initiatives; ‡ Challenging deeply rooted hegemonic masculinity construction; ‡ Engaging the community gatekeepers. N.B. There need to be particular studies for LGBTQ+ people from diverse gender communities

Recommendations

‡ Online data collection (using both survey and interview methods); ‡ Quantitative data was collected from 450 people (both male and female and between the age of 15 -60); ‡ Purposive snowball sampling 10 people (an equal number of male and female) were interviewed over the telephone, Zoom and Skype; ‡ The analysis was also disseminated through social media. Awareness raising posts and blog writing in online platforms were part of the research based campaign.

During this pandemic the fact came to focus again that equal access and opportunity of services is still far to achieve. Fewer people were accessing SRHR services and even worse, most were not accessing any service. The issue of sexual health and rights is neglected mostly among men. During a pandemic, poor infrastructure in the public health sector may result in less people taking this service as well. Mostly young adults in their early 30’s were always facing trouble getting the service and did not have access to accurate information. Lack of transport and lockdown during pandemic worsened the situation. The study finding includes instead of taking contraceptives, even young women are taking a long term approach, which requires more concern considering the side effects of long terms methods in an early age. 25

FINDINGS

METHO -DOLOGY

ess rtunity es is o

Tonima Trisa Islam (she/her) KIT Royal Tropical Institute

03 BANGLADESH

SEARCHING FOR LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL; AN ANALYSIS OF BANGLADESHI WOMEN’S HELP-SEEKING PROCESS FOLLOWING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Intimate partner violence is highly prevalent in Bangladesh with major consequences for health, society, and development. Despite the high prevalence, help-seeking of IPV victims from formal services is very low.

Though research is growing on IPV in Bangladesh, help seeking of IPV victims is under-researched and poorly understood. The study tries to establish understanding of the help seeking process in a theory informed way and identify factors influencing the steps; with an aim to bridge the knowledge gap. 27

COMMON FINDINGS-

METHO -DOLOGY

A literature review of peer-reviewed and grey literature published in the last 20 years is carried out to meet the study objectives. A conceptual framework adapted from Kennedy’s framework for help attainment process is used to guide the analysis.

What stops people to seek help. ‡

‡

Violence condoning attitude, fear of shame/stigma, difficulty in accessing services due to lack of information, availability, cost, distance, lack of trust in usefulness of services, poor attitude of the providers are the most pronounced immediate factors that affect the steps towards help-seeking. Education, older marital age, severity, and frequency of violence are strongly associated with increased help-seeking following IPV. Family, friends, and other support networks influence women’s decision to seek help in a negative way, which is rooted in the community’s gender inequal views.

Expanding education, employment for women, addressing legal loopholes and training of providers are integral in the process of improving help-seeking and response to IPV victims. More research is paramount to address the problem effectively.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Help-seeking following IPV is influenced by the interplay between different immediate and contextual factors. According to the findings, intervention targeting the community to change norms may address the problem from the root.

Wadia Samadi

How strong is a wom -an?

I was raised to work, Run the house, And look after my brothers. When I should’ve been playing, exploring life. My job is endless. I marry a man who can’t even fold his own clothes. And I am told I am weak. I give birth to a whole new life. I clean. I cook. I care for in-laws. All the while there’s a person

Only because I’m able to be the breaker of bread,

growing inside of me.

You get to have a career, Only because I’m able to look after

Don’t tell me I am weak. Your job, your money, doesn’t make you powerful.

you, after our children. I am strong.

Step into my shoes for once. Working all day, staying up all night, Never getting compensated for my work.

You are the “breadwinner”,

Loyalty, love, compassion are my strengths. My sensitivity and my emotions are signs of my divinity. Put me down. Shutter me to pieces. Like a phoenix I rise back from ashes, Only stronger and wiser and a better fighter.

Wadia Samadi is a member of Free Women Writers (‫ )هعبار نارتخد‬a registered non-profit organization based in Afghanistan and the diaspora, working to improve the lives of Afghan women through advocacy, storytelling, and education.

Paint the voids project Paint the Void Project is a US based non-profit organization who works with local artists to empower them to give back to society through the funding of public art murals. The organization was put in place as a response to the pandemic of COVID-19, and since its foundation in April 2020 it has helped paint the walls of San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland, funding over 150 artists. This photo was taken in San Francisco and it depicts a mural by Shawna Chan in collaboration with YBCA for the SF Creative Corps.

Silvia Bocchero

Researches and base texts by Silke Baas Alis Bambara Doreen Birungi Sterre van Ede Ana Margarita Fernández de Castro Peñaranda Ededia Firdawoke Lambert Hakuziyaremye Femke van Heun Arnaud Iradukunda Tonima Trisa Islam Saskia Jacobs Yohannes Keflie Margherita Magoga Yasser Meneses Zepeda Paola Moreno Molly O’Meara Linda Teresa Orcasita Pineda Tahia Rahman Aminat Salami Elizabeth Salazar Niño Putri Widi Saraswati Tewodros Seyoum Rezwana Shahrin Elena Soldati Hipatia Fernanda Vega Lema

With the support of Share-Net Hubs Share-Net Bangladesh Share-Net Burundi Share-Net Burkina Faso Share-Net Ethiopia Share-Net Colombia Share-Net Netherlands and Share-Net International

Original illustrations by Dani Marie Bordignon Silvia Bocchero Matilde Cesareo Francesca Martelli Nuées Nasheen Jahar Nasir Alejandra Posada Bakita Pietrowicz Shaka Kabushemeye Woinshet Goshu

Moderators, discussants and Share-Net focal points Dr. Khadija Khatun (University of Chittagong) Dr. Sanzida Akhter (University of Dhaka) Kishore Basak (RedOrange) Assefa Seme Deresse (Addis Ababa University) Dr. Terefe Degefa (Addis Ababa University) Dr. Meseret Zelalem (Ministry of Health, Ethiopia) Semenhe Fekadu (CORHA) Olivier Makambira (Jimbere) Zalissa Bande (SOS Jeunesses et defis) Reverien Nshimirimana (University of Burundi) Charlotte van Tuijl (KIT Royal Tropical Institute) Pema Lhaki Gaia Zanaboni (KIT Royal Tropical Institute/CHOICE for Youth & Sexuality) Judith Westeng (Rutgers) Hannah Kabelka (KIT Royal Tropical Institute) Arushi Singh (UNESCO Paris) Laura Cala Vergel (Profamilia) Mónica Godoy (UNFPA) Nicole Moran (KIT Royal Tropical Institute) Olgah Namukuza

Editors Matilde Cesareo, Elena Ascione

Art Direction Silvia Bocchero Fra(m)menti team Dani Marie Bordignon, Francesca Martelli, Matilde Cesareo, Elena Ascione, Silvia Bocchero With contributions by Elle Conant, Tatiana Guerra Contacts frammenti-m.com frammenti.mi@gmail.com @frammenti_m

FRA(M)MENTI & SHARE-NET BANGLADESH 2022