Objectives

• Young people are equipped to combat gender stereotypes and increase positive social gender norms in society through enhanced inclusive, effective and meaningful engagement in decision making and activism.
• Media organizations and outlets and influencers are more proactive and responsive to positive gender representation and produce gender sensitive content.
• Improved legal frameworks and curricula have become in place and strengthened commitment and accountability of duty bearers, media and education institutes to address harmful gender stereotypes.

Project Summary

Shomotay Tarunno aims to challenge and dismantle harmful gender stereotypes in Bangladesh by empowering youth, including girls and young women (GYW) in all their diversities, to realize their full potential. The project will amplify the rights, representation, and resources of young people, promoting gender equality and combating discriminatory norms through media and community engagement. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts with public and private institutes, the project will work with youth, media, educational institutions, and government entities to create an enabling environment for gender equality.
The project focuses on four main areas:

Rights: Young people of all backgrounds will work together to analyze policies and influence decision-makers, educational institutes, media, and the community to fight gender stereotypes. This effort includes educating media organizations and influencers to portray youth diversity positively. Additionally, media professionals will receive targeted sensitization to combat gender stereotypes effectively.

Representation: Empowering youth through inclusive capacity-building discussions by YLOs, skills development, and resources for collective action and activism to combat gender stereotypes.

Resources: Providing necessary resources to youth-led organizations and groups to support their actions in combating gender stereotyping.

Reality Check: Ensuring project activities are appropriate to the local context through feedback from youth and community members.

The project follows a youth-centered approach, enabling young people from diverse backgrounds, including indigenous people, and people with disabilities, to lead and participate in decision-making processes. By addressing harmful gender norms, the project aims to respond to the needs and interests of youth in all their diversities and foster an enabling environment for gender equality and girls’ rights.