Shefali Rani (40), a PPEPP-EU member, resides with her four-member family in Patuakhali district’s Galachipa upazila. Her husband, Shrivas Chandra Sikder, is a farmer who has a betel leaf garden. He tends to his betel leaf plantation every day from dawn to dusk. Outside of work, he used to spend his time socialising, though he did not offer much help with the household chores.
Shefali once told the Assistant Technical Officer (Nutrition) of the PPEPP-EU project at a PVC (Prosperity Village Committee) meeting- ‘Sir, you have taught us so much. Can’t you teach anything to our husbands? They leave home after farm work but don’t help us with the household work.’ Hearing out Shefali, the project officer requested that her husband attend a special sensitisation meeting called ‘Alor Pothe Sohoyatri’ (companions on the path of light) organised for men and adolescent boys by the PPEPP-EU project.
By participating in the meeting, Shrivas was introduced to different issues such as gender inequality, mental and physical abuse of women, the adverse effects of child marriage, and the importance of helping his wife with household chores. Shrivas said, ‘I never thought of what I learnt in the meeting the same way. Now I understand that my wife works all day and doesn’t have time for herself. So, if I help her occasionally, she can also get some rest.’
Weeks after this meeting, Shefali shared in a PVC meeting that she could see noticeable changes in her husband. He helps her with household chores in addition to spending time on his farm work. Shefali is happy that her husband now assists her with cooking, cleaning, washing, and spending time with their children at home.
PPEPP-EU organises a special gender awareness event titled ‘Alor Pothe Sohoyatri’ for males and adolescent boys to increase their awareness of gender roles and ensure their effective role in eliminating gender-based discrimination in the family and society. A group of fathers, husbands, and other male family members of selected households participate in the meeting with the project staff. The session is conducted interactively to make it insightful for the participants.
The event aims to raise awareness among men and boys about the positive contributions of women and men in the family and encourage their active engagement in various issues, including women’s participation in decision-making and men’s involvement in household chores. So far, 506 meetings have been held with men and adolescent boys under the project.
The PPEPP-EU project also undertakes various other activities, including couple training, exemplary father campaigns and meetings with members of the Mother and Child Forum to raise gender awareness at the household level and promote women’s rights and opportunities in all spheres.