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PHREB - Promoting Human Rights and Education in Bangladesh - is a voluntary, non-profit and non-government organization designed to promote 'Women's Human Rights', 'Gender Equality' and 'Social Justice' in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh - Imams Movement for
Women's Rights Network
Starting even before they are born and continuing throughout their lives, Bangladeshi women are subjected to violence and exclusion based simply on the fact that they are female. These injustices occur within both private and public spheres, which include families, communities, schools, governance and politics regardless of social status.
Domestic violence remains prevalent and is currently the greatest threat to women’s human rights. Domestic violence is indiscriminate, it can happen to any woman at anytime and anywhere. Even the most educated and otherwise strong women remain in abusive relationships due to the pressures of family, an unforgiving society and inefficient, corrupt legal and rescue systems.
Sexual abuse and
harassment also stems from groups of miscreants that are rampant in
These tragic deaths
provide evidence of how
Promoting Human
Rights and Education in Bangladesh (PHREB) was founded on 10 December 2004 to
make Women's Rights a Reality in
Imams Movement for
Women Rights:
PHREB is an outcome
of an intensive study on violence against women and girls conducted by four
young students Faridul Alam -
Through detailed fieldwork surveys in both rural and urban areas surrounding the Chittagong region, information was gathered regarding the types of violence, accessibility to social justice and information, causes of abuse and its impact on both women and girls in society. The fieldwork involved groups of women from a diverse range of religions and social statuses, whereby both formal and informal methods (ranging from school workshop for students of classes VIII to X, college and university level workshops and discussion forums to integrated workshop participation) were used to determine their wishes, wants and desired outcome. Consequently, these observations allowed the team to ascertain the real conditions of young women and girls facing violence in addition to their limited access to decision-making mechanisms.
The research found that if we can change the mindset of today’s children and youth, we can make a difference in the present culture of violence against women. The research found that some Mullahs (Islamic Leaders) and Patriarchal Society may use Islam as a tool to subjugate women. Other Imams may be very enlightened about concepts of gender equality within Islam.
To interpret Islam
correctly for the benefit of women and girls, PHREB started involving
enlightened Imams with her STOP Violence against Girls Program in December
2005. On 14 December PHREB organized a Seminar titled Islam and Women Rights.
14 Imams from Chittagong Region Participated in this Seminar to discuss women's
right to inherent property, gender equality, women's rights to participation
and violence against women. The Imams present in this seminar has agreed to
work with PHREB in ending violence against women and girls. Later PHREB and
Imams created a network of individual, enlightened Imams titled Imams
Movement for Women Rights. Ms. Nellie van der Pasch, ICCO Program
Officer for
Since its
inception, Imams have taken various initiatives to aware their followers about
Early Marriage, Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse, Girls and Children
Trafficking, Birth & Marriage Registration, Dowry and women's inherent
right to property etc. Currently 140 Imams are involved with this Mosque and
community based Religious Campaign for Women Rights and freedom.
Imams Movement for
Women Rights Network is increasing day-by-day by with more moderate and
intellectual religious leaders in the southern part of
Imams has been
playing an important role in promoting birth and marriage registrations and
stopping early marriages in 32 Unions of Chakaria, Moheshkhali and Pekua
Upazilas of Cox's Bazar District. In Bangladeshi society in villages Imams are
regarded as Social Judge. Where Imams have been traditionally standing against
women in their verdicts now the Network Imams are standing for oppressed Women
and Girl Child. Network Imams are delivering true justice in favor of oppressed
women according to holly Quran.
Imams Movement for
Women Rights Network members are dedicated to promote women's rights in
For more information on Imams Movement for Women Rights and other PHREB programs/campaigns/projects for stopping violence against girls and women, please contact Mr. Faridul Alam, Executive Director, PHREB, e-mail:
faridul.phreb@gmail.com , tel:
+880 31 257 1170, cell: +880167 8145 36o.
Web: www.phreb.org
http://www.religie-en-ontwikkeling.nl/?nid=1810
Since its inception in 2004, PHREB continues to strive towards their vision by working in partnership with both local and international organizations, grass root organizations, law enforcing agencies, religious leaders, cultural activists, parents, schools and government officials in order to combat all forms of violence and discrimination against girls and young women.
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