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Empowering Women and Youth to Exercise Democratic Rights, Promote Accountability and Participate in Governance
Mass awareness is a popular concept which works for building awareness among people about th
eir fundamental rights and freedom. In a democratic system, where people choose their represent
atives and send them to legislative assembly / council or to the parliament, election is the only m
edium through which voters can decide future of the country. Basically election is being consider
ed as ‘Festival of Democracy’. This can really be called festival when free and fair elections will
be conducted and more important than this is when maximum number of voters will cast their pr
ecious votes. A credible electoral roll is the pre-requisites of free and fair election.
In Bangladesh, we have always been talking about the electoral reforms, electoral roll and also w
e show our concern for choosing suitable candidates as people’s representative. This is only lack
of awareness among the people that results innumerable anomalies relating to the process of upd
ating the electoral roll and its final outcome. An initiative has been taken by the government to u
pdated Voter list and national Identity card in collaboration with Bangladesh Army. To create ma
ss awareness. Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) signed a Memorandum of understanding
with Election Working Group (EWG). As a partner organization of EWG Khan Foundation (KF)
supported the program through its networks.
Later another project was implemented by Khan Foundation as a member organization of the
Election Working Group (EWG) to promote voter and civic education and strengthen women’s
and youth participation in electoral and political processes. The initiative was supported by The
Asia Foundation under the project “To Promote Women and Youth's Electoral and Political
Participation” in connection with the 2008 National Parliamentary and Upazila Elections.
The program focused on increasing voter awareness, encouraging informed participation,
establishing accountability mechanisms, facilitating dialogue between citizens and elected
representatives, and strengthening democratic culture at grassroots level.
Enhancing women and youth engagement in electoral processes and public decision-making
Increase voter and civic awareness among citizens.
Promote women and youth participation in elections.
Encourage informed and independent voting decisions.
Strengthen citizen engagement with elected representatives.
Promote transparency and accountability in governance.
Encourage political parties and candidates to address women and youth priorities.
Strengthen democratic culture from grassroots to national levels.
The main objectives of the program is to support of the initiative of the BEC to prepare a Voter list with photograph and National ID card and encourage the people and create public awareness of the requirement for voter registration including attendance at the registration centre. To ensure the participation of people who are at the age of 18 or above within the January, 2008 including the ethnic, senior citizens, pregnant women, disable, and people of hard to reach area through mass awareness is the main aim and objectives of the program. The project aimed to empower women and youth with the knowledge and support required to participate safely and independently in elections, engage in public affairs, and hold elected representatives accountable for addressing community priorities.
Empowering women and youth to exercise rights and demand accountability
Increased awareness of voting rights and responsibilities.
Encouraged women and youth participation in elections.
Created platforms for citizens to express priorities and concerns.
Improved interaction between citizens and candidates.
Strengthened community-level accountability mechanisms.
• Encouraged citizens to monitor elected representatives’ performance.
The program created greater awareness and encouraged women and youth to participate enthusiastically in national and Upazila elections. The CAPTA meetings helped men, women and youth raise their voices, exercise voting power, and communicate their needs to elected representatives and government officials.
The project increased awareness among citizens, particularly women and youth, regarding electoral rights, democratic responsibilities and engagement with elected representatives.
Strengthening democracy through awareness, dialogue and citizen monitoring
1. Civic Education
Provided information on voting rights.
Encouraged informed participation.
2. Citizen Accountability Mechanisms
Established CAPTA committees.
Promoted monitoring of elected representatives.
3. Women and Youth Empowerment
Created spaces for women and youth to discuss priorities.
Encouraged political participation.
4. Stakeholder Dialogue
Candidates.
Elected representatives.
Government officials.
5. Awareness Campaigns
Used cultural programs, posters and community outreach.
The intervention combined voter education, citizen mobilization, accountability platforms and dialogue mechanisms to promote transparent and participatory democracy.
Creating informed citizens and strengthening citizen–representative relationships
1. Voter Awareness Activities
Conducted voter awareness campaigns.
Distributed voter education leaflets.
Displayed awareness banners.
Reached communities through local partner organizations.
The voter awareness program distributed 130,480 leaflets and displayed 1,067 banners across multiple districts and upazilas.
2. Formation of Citizen Alliance for Promoting Transparency and Accountability (CAPTA)
Established CAPTA committees in assigned constituencies.
Created citizen platforms for transparency and accountability.
Encouraged citizen participation in governance processes.
3. Women and Youth Issue Meetings
Organized pre-election issue meetings.
Discussed women and youth priorities.
Engaged community members and CAPTA representatives.
15 pre-election women/youth issue meetings were conducted in assigned constituencies.
4. Candidate Forums
Organized forums with candidates.
Allowed women and youth representatives to raise concerns.
Encouraged candidates to make commitments regarding community priorities.
5. Awareness Campaigns
Conducted mobile cultural awareness events.
Distributed “Tea House Posters” on women and youth issues.
Promoted democratic rights through community outreach.
Canvassing through loud speaker (Miking)
Special meeting
Rally
Banner Display
Leaflet Distribution
The project implemented voter awareness campaigns, issue-based meetings, candidate forums, CAPTA formation, awareness events and educational material distribution to increase democratic participation.
Building informed citizens and inclusive democratic participation
Primary Beneficiaries
Women voters.
Youth voters.
First-time voters.
Community members.
Marginalized citizens.
Secondary Beneficiaries
Candidates.
Elected representatives.
Local government institutions.
Civil society organizations.
Community leaders.
CAPTA representatives included:
• Social leaders.
• Professionals.
• Women representatives.
• Poor and organized community representatives.
• Youth representatives.
• NGO representatives.
• Business representatives.
The project primarily targeted women, youth and citizens who required greater awareness and opportunities to participate effectively in electoral and governance processes.
