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    Bandhu Profile

    Our Origin

    Naz Foundation, a distinguished UK-based global non-profit organization, undertook a comprehensive study on the intricate landscape of sexual and reproductive health needs of gender and sexual minority (GSM) communities in Bangladesh from October 1996 to March 1997 in Bangladesh, thoughtfully supported by the Ford Foundation.

    In addition to a variety of risky sexual practices that increase the risk of STI/HIV infection, the study showed how the GSM groups in Bangladesh endure social marginalization, discrimination, and condemnation in access to their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The study exhibited that people from these communities are compelled to conceal their diverse gender identities, sexual orientations, and SRHR concerns as a way to avert social persecution, harassment, and violence.

    A circle of friends realized the vulnerability of this community considering the intolerance against this community perception and pioneered the effort to support their SRHR and human rights.

     

    Who We Are

    Bandhu Social Welfare Society (Bandhu, Friend in English), voyaged in 1996, is a community-led, non-profit registered organization in Bangladesh dedicated towards the people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) of the country who we pronounce as gender diverse people (GDP). We have been registered by the Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW) and NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) of the Government of Bangladesh.
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    Mission:

    Ensuring a dignified by protecting human rights, promoting a sustainable livelihood, improving access to quality health care & enhancing access to social security & gender justice.

    Vision:

    A society where people from all gender identities enjoy a quality life.

    Organizational Strategic Plan

    Fifth Strategic Framework (SF-05)

    Bandhu Social Welfare Society(Bandhu) operates within its own Strategic Plan/Framework designed for every five years with a focus to achieve organizational mission and vision through ensuring services on SRHR needs and overall wellbeing of gender diverse population of the country.

     

    Our 5th SF for 2022-26 outlines three key challenges faced by gender-diverse people (GDP), encapsulated as the 'circle of oppression':

    • GDP encounter discrimination, stigma, gender-based violence, and a denial of basic human rights.
    • GDP experience limited access to healthcare, education, and social support, resulting in poorer health, lower educational attainment, and higher levels of unemployment and
    • GDP often lack self-confidence and agency, attributing their predicament to themselves, particularly among young GDP and vulnerable groups in emergency situations or ethnic minorities.

     

    To address these issues and promote human rights and gender justice, we are implementing the 'circle of empowerment' focusing on:

    • Evidence-based advocacy to enhance human rights and reduce stigma, discrimination,

    and gender-based violence.

    • Capacity-building to improve the quality and accessibility of services.
    • Raising awareness, empowerment, and mobilization of GDP.

     

    Our goal is to improve the quality of life for GDP by achieving four key outcomes:

    • Improved human rights
    • Improved access to comprehensive quality health services
    • Improved livelihood and social entitlement
    • Improved sustainability and empowerment

     

    To foster these, we incorporate cross-cutting actions

    • Advocacy
    • Capacity development
    • Community engagement
    • Research and knowledge management
    • Digital safety and security
    • Social mobilization and empowerment
    • Monitoring and evaluation

     

    Through our strategic actions, we contribute to the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)