UNICEF Funded Project on Advocacy and Communication for Children and Women

First phase of "Project on Communication Activities for Development of Children and Women, " aided by UNICEF and implemented by department of Mass Communication was implemented in 1996-2001 and 2nd phase of the project was implemented during 2001-2005. Since inception of this programme, as a supporting programme of development of women and children in selected upazillas of different districts, Department of Mass Communication has been arranging exhibition of films in rural areas, folk music, community meeting under assistance of interpersonal communication procedure, orientation workshop of opinion leaders, press meeting, essay writing and debate competition in observance of international women's day, children's right week, staging of drama and arranging 'Say Yes for Children' fair etc. Moreover, with a view to create public awareness on women's and children's right, street publicity, cultural function etc. are being arranged.

Under this project this programme has already been implemented in 132 upazillas. In 2nd phase this programme have been implemented in 260 upazillas. 'Say Yes for Children' fair have been arranged in 64 districts and 4 upzillas. Under the programme so far 392 upazillas have been covered in two phases.

Implemented Activities at a glance

Information and statistics under communication activities (2nd phase) project in development of children and women (from 2001 up to June 2006).

Sl. No.	Description of Activities	Number of Implementation
01.	Planning workshop	30
02.	Review workshop	30
03.	Special workshop	30
04.	Exhibition of Films	12240
05.	Community Meeting	12240
06.	Folk song session	8160
07.	Street Publicity	20000
08.	Press Meeting	680
09.	Drama	680
10.	Say Yes for Children Fair	68
11.	Rally	272
12.	Orientation Workshop	680
13.	Cultural Programme	680
14.	Local Training	10

Present government, with integrated efforts among existing mass media institutions, has adopted specific programmes to achieve the goal of children and women development in Bangladesh. The programme was taken keeping the facts like training and educating poors, healthcare, empowerment of women in decision making, violence against women, acid throwing, presentation of dowry etc. Side by side UNICEF has recently identified children's initial growing up, girls' education, say yes for children fair etc. as priority points towards development. In the light of these points, Department of Mass Communication, with a view to bring positive changes in the condition of children and women, has been adopting and gradually implementing different programmes to motivate people and create consciousness among them.

Even in this world of information technology role and importance of inter- personal relationship is essential. For this reason this department utilises conventional popular mediums like arrangement of folk song programme, distribution of poster and booklets, publicity of conversation, open space meeting, gathering etc. to publicize policies and development activities of the government. On the other hand modern audio visual medium is also used. Thus common people get actual idea about activities of the government and they can integrate themselves in development of the country. People of grass root level get opportunity to come closer to representatives of government who are engaged in development activities. Through exchange of mutual views their range of thinking becomes expanded and mutual credibility is increased. In this way, by creating close relationship with people, Department of Mass Communication is playing important role in development of the country.

Implementation of 3rd phase of the project will start this year.

Technical Assistance Project Aided by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

A technical assistance project titled "Advocacy on Reproductive Health and Gender Issues Through Department of Mass Communication (2nd Phase)" financed by United Nations Population Fund has been implemented by Department of Mass Communication. Work of the project was started in January 2003 and ended in December 2005. This project has been implemented in 192 upazillas under 64 districts. First phase of this project has been implemented in 256 upazills under 64 districts. In total 448 upazillas have been covered under this project.

Prime aims of this project are: to educate common people and opinion leaders about reproductive health, reduction of maternal and neo-natal death rate, population control, equal rights of men and women, prevention of HIV/AIDS and to bring behavioral change among the people in this regard.

Activities performed under this project from January 2003 to December 2005 are-exhibition of 5597 subject oriented films, 4390 programmes on folk song, 160 orientations of leader class persons, 180 trainings of artistes, arrangement of 576 essay writing and debate competitions on the occasions of World Women Day, World Population Day and World AIDS Day. Exhibition of films by using multimedia technology under this project has been welcomed in rural areas.

31 audio-visual van, 64 multimedia projector, 64 DVD, 64 screen, 64 voltage stabilizer, 64 generator and 64 screen stand have been procured during implementation of the second phase of the project.

On the backdrop of success of ongoing projects the Department was included in Seventh Country Programme (January 2006 - December 2010) by United Nations Population Fund.

All these activities adopted by Deptt. of Mass Communication have successfully associated the people with policies and development activities of government The programme also enriched knowledge of people. These activities have played remarkable role in enhancement of female education rate, increased enrolment of students in schools, reducing death rate of children and mothers etc. Moreover, publicity on healthful sanitation has been strengthened. All these activities are reflected in development of human resources, removal of poverty and generate fresh employment. People's participation in development activities will accelerate overall development of the country. Our strategy to remove poverty has paved the way towards target. Comparison between rural life of four years hence and present will justify all these activities.