Prepared from the provided SASA! Together Project overview document.

Project Overview

The SASA! Together Project, titled “Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls through Community Mobilization Approach (SASA! Together),” is implemented by Pulse Bangladesh Society with funding from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The project period is 1 May 2026 to 31 December 2026, with activities in Rajapalong Union, Camp 18 and Camp 20 Extension. The project document identifies 29,100 beneficiaries.

Project Objective

The project aims to create a safe and supportive environment where women, men, girls and boys can live free from violence. It also promotes positive use of power, encouraging people to use their influence to support equality, respect and justice.

Main Activities

Key activities include awareness sessions on power posters and community conversations; leadership leaflets; community talking points; quick chats; activity observation; community change tracking; training for Local Activists and Community Leaders; monthly meetings with Local Activists and Community Leaders; coordination meetings with Institutional Allies; and coordination meetings with stakeholders.

Key Achievements

The project document reports that 145 Local Activists, 140 Community Leaders and 6 Institutional Allies were selected and engaged to support community mobilization and gender equality initiatives. It records 4,025 community sessions against a planned 4,489, representing 90% achievement. Population coverage reached 30,401 community members against a target of 29,100, representing 104% achievement.

Monthly review and planning meetings were conducted with Local Activists and Community Leaders across the three intervention areas. Community dialogue sessions involved 90 participants, while inter-generational dialogue sessions were conducted with Local Activists and Community Leaders. The project also facilitated collaboration and learning/action feedback meetings among Local Activists, Community Leaders and Institutional Allies.

Capacity-building activities included organizational compliance, setup, start-phase, refresher and learning-sharing sessions for project staff. All 145 Local Activists, 140 Community Leaders and 6 Institutional Allies received setup, start and refresher training. Project inception and progress-sharing meetings were also organized with government officials, Camp-in-Charges, NGOs, INGOs and other stakeholders across the three project locations.

Success Story: Transforming Attitudes Towards Women’s Rights, Respect and Equality

A success story in the project document describes Aminul Islam (pseudonym), a resident of Camp 20 Extension, who initially held traditional beliefs about women’s roles and decision-making. Through continued engagement by a Local Activist and participation in sessions on Power Within, the negative use of power, equality, dignity and mutual respect, he gradually reconsidered his views.

The document reports that Aminul now believes women have equal rights, dignity and potential, supports women’s participation in household and community decision-making, and encourages others to value equality and reject harmful gender norms.

Success Story: Patience and Persistence Can Create a Peaceful Family Environment

The second success story describes Laila Begum (pseudonym), a Community Leader who experienced intimate partner violence. Through SASA! Together training, community dialogue and regular discussions, she developed a deeper understanding of Power Within and the role of unequal power dynamics in violence.

The document reports that Laila chose respectful and constructive communication with her husband, encouraging mutual respect, open communication and shared responsibility. Over time, her husband became more respectful, reduced controlling behaviour and communicated more positively, contributing to a more peaceful family environment. Laila now uses her experience to encourage other women and families to address conflict through dialogue, respect and equality.

Photo Documentation

The source document includes photographs documenting the project inception meeting at Ukhiya UNO Office, project staff training, training for Community Leaders at Camp 1, an awareness session on power posters at Rajapalong Union, an awareness session on community conversation at Camp 18, training for Local Activists at Camp 20 Extension, and a progress-sharing meeting at Ukhiya UNO Office.

Video

The source document states: “Videos: Not Available.”

Project: Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls through Community Mobilization Approach (SASA! Together)

Working locations: Rajapalong Union, Camp 18, Camp 20 Extension

Beneficiary target: 29,100

Implemented by: Pulse Bangladesh Society

Funded by: International Organization for Migration (IOM)