UBINIG
UBINIG is the abbreviation of its Bengali name Unnayan Bikalper Nitinirdharoni Gobeshona. In English it means Policy Research for Development Alternatives. We are essentially a policy advocacy and research organisation. At the same time, we do implement the ideas which come out of our research works in the form of various programmes and projects. The implementations are elements of our living interaction with the community. As a result they strengthen the empirical foundation of our investigation and analysis.
The approach of UBINIG toward social processes of change is based on interrelated practices at two different level of operation: activities at the grass root level as a part and parcel of the community and the activities at the policy level to change the paradigm, agenda, content and direction of the mainstream policy that affects the lives of the people. We create our visions and determine direction of our work from the wealth of grassroots experience. On the other hand, the activities at the policy level open up opportunities for dialogue and positive change. The latter activities also help us to map the gaps in information and analysis and we can identify the areas where we can meaningfully engage the States as well as national and international agencies including multilateral bodies for meaningful dialogues for immediate gains.
HISTORY
UBINIG was originated in the form of a series of study circles started in 1981. The study circles were held on issues concerning development and social change. We started to critically look at the development issues from class and gender perspective. In 1984 we constituted ourselves into an organisation. Legally registered as a research organisation, we perform social development works. Therefore, we work collectively, share our thoughts collectively and therefore the accomplishments are also shared in a collective manner.
UBINIG was originated in the form of a series of study circles started in 1981. The study circles were held on issues concerning development and social change. We started to critically look at the development issues from class and gender perspective. In 1984 we constituted ourselves into an organisation. Legally registered as a research organisation, we perform social development works. Therefore, we work collectively, share our thoughts collectively and therefore the accomplishments are also shared in a collective manner.
We primarily work on the policy issues related to development, development policies and their applications in our country that have far reaching consequences on the lives of our people.
Our work aims to resolve the debates of development from class and gender perspective. We work persistently to improve the democratic content of our society. Our objective is to formulate strategies for development and social change that can ensure the democratic participation of the people; equitable distribution of social wealth and productive resources is our guiding paradigm.
Our work aims to resolve the debates of development from class and gender perspective. We work persistently to improve the democratic content of our society. Our objective is to formulate strategies for development and social change that can ensure the democratic participation of the people; equitable distribution of social wealth and productive resources is our guiding paradigm.
Centers and Offices
UBINIG started with its Dhaka office in 1984. At that time we were working in different districts for research works. We opened our Tangail office in 1986m, the year we started working with local weavers. Now the center is coordinates both Handloom weavers and Nayakrishi Andolon (The new agricultural movement of Bangladeshi farmers in an effort to produce healthy, environmentally conscious foods)
In 1987 we started working on a research project on shrimp fry collectors. We worked in the coastal area of Cox's Bazar. In 1991, we got more involved after the cyclone devistated the region. Since then, we have opened a center in the Badarkhaliunion of Chakaria thana. The center mainly deals with farmer mobilization, coastal ecology and management.
In 1995, we got involved in the Noakhali area. This is a saline zone. Our main focus is to mobilize farmers under the experiences of saline ecology.
UBINIG started with its Dhaka office in 1984. At that time we were working in different districts for research works. We opened our Tangail office in 1986m, the year we started working with local weavers. Now the center is coordinates both Handloom weavers and Nayakrishi Andolon (The new agricultural movement of Bangladeshi farmers in an effort to produce healthy, environmentally conscious foods)
In 1987 we started working on a research project on shrimp fry collectors. We worked in the coastal area of Cox's Bazar. In 1991, we got more involved after the cyclone devistated the region. Since then, we have opened a center in the Badarkhaliunion of Chakaria thana. The center mainly deals with farmer mobilization, coastal ecology and management.
In 1995, we got involved in the Noakhali area. This is a saline zone. Our main focus is to mobilize farmers under the experiences of saline ecology.
Contacts in other area:
Though we do not have formal set-ups in all the areas, we have connections throughout Bangladesh. Nayakrishi Andolon and Handloom weavers already extend to a number of districts in Bangladesh including: Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Tangail, Sherpur, Narachingdi, Netrokona, Mymenshing, Sirajganj, Pabna, Kushita, Nator, Thakurgaon, Rajshahi, Chapai, Nawabganj, Pirojpur and Habiganj.
Though we do not have formal set-ups in all the areas, we have connections throughout Bangladesh. Nayakrishi Andolon and Handloom weavers already extend to a number of districts in Bangladesh including: Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Tangail, Sherpur, Narachingdi, Netrokona, Mymenshing, Sirajganj, Pabna, Kushita, Nator, Thakurgaon, Rajshahi, Chapai, Nawabganj, Pirojpur and Habiganj.
Dissemination & Publications
We have been publishing our research findings in Bengali and in English to share with the development workers, women's groups and concerned individuals, national and international development agencies. We have published research reports, booklets and newsletters which have been widely distributed among the relevant people.
We have been publishing our research findings in Bengali and in English to share with the development workers, women's groups and concerned individuals, national and international development agencies. We have published research reports, booklets and newsletters which have been widely distributed among the relevant people.
Narigrantha Prabartana
the first and only feminist bookstore and publishing house in Bangladesh has gained a lot of popularity over the years in terms of its activities related to collection and publication of books and periodicals supporting the ongoing women's movement in Bangladesh. Narigrantha Prabartana, is also actively involved in raising the most crucial issues related to women's movement such as violence against women, women's participation in politics, health and reproductive rights, literary exercises of women and action oriented works with a cross section of women in Bangladesh.
the first and only feminist bookstore and publishing house in Bangladesh has gained a lot of popularity over the years in terms of its activities related to collection and publication of books and periodicals supporting the ongoing women's movement in Bangladesh. Narigrantha Prabartana, is also actively involved in raising the most crucial issues related to women's movement such as violence against women, women's participation in politics, health and reproductive rights, literary exercises of women and action oriented works with a cross section of women in Bangladesh.
Narigrantha Prabartana as a bookstore and publishing house has been participating in all the book fairs organised at the international, national and local levels. The experiences gained through such participation gave us the opportunity to meet writers and readers and also various other publishers within and outside the country. We have observed that the mainstream publishers do still not consider the books written by women as a "business". But this has not stopped women from publishing their own books. Women writers save money to publish the books and know that there is a place where they can keep it for sale. Narigrantha Prabartana also provides them the opportunity to have discussions on the published books to promote them to the readers who are coming to the bookstore. We have also noticed collective efforts of women to publish books, magazines, bulletins etc.
Chinta
UBINIG publishes a Bengali fortnightly magazine known as Chinta which includes social, economic, political, environmental and women's issues etc. This magazine is subscribed by students, political activists, social activists and NGO workers.
Campaign & Advocacy Works
UBINIG campaign works are done in the form of Press conferences, distribution of leaflets, holding meetings and demonstrations, when necessary along with other groups etc. By holding/organizing national and international seminars, workshops and conferences to share with the like-minded individuals, organisations and groups. Besides sharing the works we have done, we find it as an important task to network with other organisations. To make contacts with other people and to take up collective actions networking is necessary. We also provide venue for other networks to hold their meetings. This linkage with different activist groups helps us to strengthen the social networking on important social and political issues
Handloom Weaving
Chinta
UBINIG publishes a Bengali fortnightly magazine known as Chinta which includes social, economic, political, environmental and women's issues etc. This magazine is subscribed by students, political activists, social activists and NGO workers.
Campaign & Advocacy Works
UBINIG campaign works are done in the form of Press conferences, distribution of leaflets, holding meetings and demonstrations, when necessary along with other groups etc. By holding/organizing national and international seminars, workshops and conferences to share with the like-minded individuals, organisations and groups. Besides sharing the works we have done, we find it as an important task to network with other organisations. To make contacts with other people and to take up collective actions networking is necessary. We also provide venue for other networks to hold their meetings. This linkage with different activist groups helps us to strengthen the social networking on important social and political issues
Handloom Weaving
History
UBINIG weaving project has been running in Tangail since 1986. Though it is primarily working with pit-loom weavers in Paffirail union of Tangail it has extended its activities in the areas of health, education, agriculture, etc. Besides, a strong women's program has been established with the women from the weaving and non-weaving families. Broadly, this is a program which has reached most of the section of the population. HEKS Switzerland has been supporting the project since the beginning of the project. In the initial period of research, the other partners were INTER PARES and CUSO in Canada.
UBINIG weaving project has been running in Tangail since 1986. Though it is primarily working with pit-loom weavers in Paffirail union of Tangail it has extended its activities in the areas of health, education, agriculture, etc. Besides, a strong women's program has been established with the women from the weaving and non-weaving families. Broadly, this is a program which has reached most of the section of the population. HEKS Switzerland has been supporting the project since the beginning of the project. In the initial period of research, the other partners were INTER PARES and CUSO in Canada.
Our involvement in Handloom weaving is within the context of revitalizing economic activity which has immense potentiality to be a base for rural industrialization. The potentiality of the rural indusrialisation and positive transformation of the rural economy manifested through the Handloom activity of villages immensely attracted our interest. We did a thorough study of the sector in 1986 to identify the potentialities in more concrete terms and started to organize weavers. Soon we realized that the Handloom sector can play an alternative route to development instead of the export oriented industrial model persued by the government and the international donor communities. The yarn policy of the government was detrimental to the Handloom sector and virtually wiped out many efficient pockets of Handloom weavers accelerating the processes of pauperization and social discontent. The industrial activity of the villages has been systematically disarticulated from the agricultural activity having far reaching development implication. The economic processes set into motion by the government policy and supported by the donor community have been eroding the basis for village based communities who could profitably remain engaged in agriculture and industry at the same time.
The concern we felt was also intensely linked with ecology and environment. The Handloom sector is based on renewable energy. The industrialization process based on large scale textile and spinning industries uses fossil fuel. A phase we could have avoided for a time with positive gains. UBINIG's involvement in the weaving areas of Tangail had already aroused our interest in ecology and environment in general.
The concern we felt was also intensely linked with ecology and environment. The Handloom sector is based on renewable energy. The industrialization process based on large scale textile and spinning industries uses fossil fuel. A phase we could have avoided for a time with positive gains. UBINIG's involvement in the weaving areas of Tangail had already aroused our interest in ecology and environment in general.
We are engaged in a programme that intends to develop women entrepreneurs. We would like to see the constraint and possibility of such objective which will offer us wealth of information to formulate a policy of rural industrialization from feminist perspective. At present, there are over 500 weavers who are working with UBINIG.
As a result of this project with the weavers, we started Prabartana -- an initiative to generate awareness among the consumers about the products produced by the local industries. Prabartana, started in 1989, is the sales outlet for the Handloom products as well as a place for education on the issues of local industries.
Working with the weavers
As a background, it may be mentioned here that in 1986, UBINIG first came to Tangail to do a research to find out problems and aspects of promoting rural industrialization and community development. We were aware from the beginning about the potentialities of home-based handloom weaving, and that the weavers as a community must be supported so that they retain their occupation and can survive with dignity and respect in the society. Moreover, from women's point of view we wanted to build up recognition to women 5 contribution in this industry. We also wanted to show small factory operation as an example of economic activities that is not dependent on fossil fuel. From the beginning, the weaving project was grounded on ecological consideration. The main thrust of the project was to develop new mode of production organization and management at the village level to make handloom activities profitable and economically viable.
The weaving project in Tangail has been able to create an impact in terms of improvement of designs, quality control and marketing of products etc. At one level, the poor weavers involved in the project have been able to consolidate their positions and to bring themselves out of the grips of the exploitative forces and in creating linkages with different levels of weavers. The weavers, who are involved in the project for sometime, become self-sufficient and do not need the project help for working capital. The support is then shifted to providing designs, quality control and marketing of their products. That means, the project goes through a process of phasing out from the weavers who are involved for sometime and moves on to the others. So we could phase out from the old weavers, most of them are working as independent entrepreneurs and could move on to newer weavers who need our support to become entrepreneurs.
As a result of this project with the weavers, we started Prabartana -- an initiative to generate awareness among the consumers about the products produced by the local industries. Prabartana, started in 1989, is the sales outlet for the Handloom products as well as a place for education on the issues of local industries.
Working with the weavers
As a background, it may be mentioned here that in 1986, UBINIG first came to Tangail to do a research to find out problems and aspects of promoting rural industrialization and community development. We were aware from the beginning about the potentialities of home-based handloom weaving, and that the weavers as a community must be supported so that they retain their occupation and can survive with dignity and respect in the society. Moreover, from women's point of view we wanted to build up recognition to women 5 contribution in this industry. We also wanted to show small factory operation as an example of economic activities that is not dependent on fossil fuel. From the beginning, the weaving project was grounded on ecological consideration. The main thrust of the project was to develop new mode of production organization and management at the village level to make handloom activities profitable and economically viable.
The weaving project in Tangail has been able to create an impact in terms of improvement of designs, quality control and marketing of products etc. At one level, the poor weavers involved in the project have been able to consolidate their positions and to bring themselves out of the grips of the exploitative forces and in creating linkages with different levels of weavers. The weavers, who are involved in the project for sometime, become self-sufficient and do not need the project help for working capital. The support is then shifted to providing designs, quality control and marketing of their products. That means, the project goes through a process of phasing out from the weavers who are involved for sometime and moves on to the others. So we could phase out from the old weavers, most of them are working as independent entrepreneurs and could move on to newer weavers who need our support to become entrepreneurs.
Social Support
Poor weavers were very much vulnerable to economic and social exploitation. But the project has created an option to them which they think they can obtain. The Mohajans who used to exploit the labour weavers are now questioned because the project offers an alternative wage which is higher than the wage offered by the Mahajans. The options for Marketing also strengthens their positions. Socially, being able to send their children to school without interrupting the productive activities also raises the status.
The social changes are much more significant in the case of women weavers. We can see that more women are coming to the project to join. They learn to operate the loom. They struggle hard at home and in the society to get recognition for their work. The project encourages women who want to join. Men are also coming forward in cases where their wives are interested in setting up looms.
Poor weavers were very much vulnerable to economic and social exploitation. But the project has created an option to them which they think they can obtain. The Mohajans who used to exploit the labour weavers are now questioned because the project offers an alternative wage which is higher than the wage offered by the Mahajans. The options for Marketing also strengthens their positions. Socially, being able to send their children to school without interrupting the productive activities also raises the status.
The social changes are much more significant in the case of women weavers. We can see that more women are coming to the project to join. They learn to operate the loom. They struggle hard at home and in the society to get recognition for their work. The project encourages women who want to join. Men are also coming forward in cases where their wives are interested in setting up looms.
It may be noted that at the beginning of the project, there were taboos against women operating the looms. Women used to do all the pre-weaving jobs but they were not allowed to operate the loom. But now, many women weavers are found to run the weaving enterprise. These looms are the traditional looms, which were light and easy to operate. Gradually women learnt the skill to operate the Jacquard loom.
Education
The children of the weaving families could not go to schools, because the school timing of the general schools are set according to the need of the children from the middle class families of the villages, where the children are not helping in the family occupation. The children in the weaving families are helping in the pre-weaving works, the young boys become apprentice learner with their parent. No school was there to adjust to their needs. Moreover, what is being taught in the schools has little relevance to their real situation. But every weaver family wants their children to have education. So UBINIG had to start an alternative - a school called "Shikhipori Biddayaloy" for the children and an adult education program for women in 1987.
This school is for the children of the weaving and the farming families. The school is up to class five. It can accommodate only 200 students at a time. It includes equal number of boys and girls. Children who started in the early period have passed primary level. The school is well known for its good quality of teaching. Beside the regular school curriculum, we have special courses on farming, weaving, environment, the information and history of the area and other social issues. Children coming from the weaving families get the training to make the BUTI ( a skill for craft weaving ) every Thursday. The students also learn about ecological ecological agriculture which they practice in their own households. The students are very environment and human rights conscious. They do challenge people on the issues of environments and human rights questions. About the rights of women the students are very vocal.
The children of the weaving families could not go to schools, because the school timing of the general schools are set according to the need of the children from the middle class families of the villages, where the children are not helping in the family occupation. The children in the weaving families are helping in the pre-weaving works, the young boys become apprentice learner with their parent. No school was there to adjust to their needs. Moreover, what is being taught in the schools has little relevance to their real situation. But every weaver family wants their children to have education. So UBINIG had to start an alternative - a school called "Shikhipori Biddayaloy" for the children and an adult education program for women in 1987.
This school is for the children of the weaving and the farming families. The school is up to class five. It can accommodate only 200 students at a time. It includes equal number of boys and girls. Children who started in the early period have passed primary level. The school is well known for its good quality of teaching. Beside the regular school curriculum, we have special courses on farming, weaving, environment, the information and history of the area and other social issues. Children coming from the weaving families get the training to make the BUTI ( a skill for craft weaving ) every Thursday. The students also learn about ecological ecological agriculture which they practice in their own households. The students are very environment and human rights conscious. They do challenge people on the issues of environments and human rights questions. About the rights of women the students are very vocal.
The students run a savings program and have developed a common fund for themselves. The students work for the nursery in the ecological agricultural farm and get remuneration for this work. It may be noted that the school timing is adjusted for the children of the weaving families who have to help their parents in pre-weaving works.
The program for adult education for women started in 1987. Women who are involved in pre-weaving work face problems, because they do not have minimum education to do counting. And due to this lacking the Mohajans and other people were taking advantage. Besides, women needed basic literacy training. Adult education classes included all those young girls who are over-aged for a primary school but are unmarried and working at home. Men are interested to educate their wives. Through the education program different social issues relevant for women are discussed
Health Services
The primary health services started after the flood of 1988 .The program created good impact among the people. They demanded to continue the services. health program has been kept limited with the focus on women and children's health needs. But this was not a family planning based program. women's general health is being taken care of. The center provides health services in 68 villages in Tangail. The most important function of the center is to provide referral services in the existing government health centers located in the area. In cases of emergencies, our health workers accompany the patient to government hospitals.
The health worker and the medical doctor take regular classes in the schools on primary health care. The female health worker goes to the villages and hold discussions on primary and women's general health care issues. We also discuss about preventive measures and alternative medicines.
The primary health services started after the flood of 1988 .The program created good impact among the people. They demanded to continue the services. health program has been kept limited with the focus on women and children's health needs. But this was not a family planning based program. women's general health is being taken care of. The center provides health services in 68 villages in Tangail. The most important function of the center is to provide referral services in the existing government health centers located in the area. In cases of emergencies, our health workers accompany the patient to government hospitals.
The health worker and the medical doctor take regular classes in the schools on primary health care. The female health worker goes to the villages and hold discussions on primary and women's general health care issues. We also discuss about preventive measures and alternative medicines.
Weavers' Service Center
A Weaver Service Center is there to provide direct services required by the weavers in the productions of fabric and clothes. The services include, design, supply of good quality yarn, dyeing facilities, punching cards for jacquard design, storage of finished products, training of Nakshi bootis by skilled weavers, and the marketing Support. The Weavers Service Center plays the role of a Clearing House when they cannot sell their products directly in the local market. The weavers taken the service of the clearing house specially during the lean season of weaving.
A Weaver Service Center is there to provide direct services required by the weavers in the productions of fabric and clothes. The services include, design, supply of good quality yarn, dyeing facilities, punching cards for jacquard design, storage of finished products, training of Nakshi bootis by skilled weavers, and the marketing Support. The Weavers Service Center plays the role of a Clearing House when they cannot sell their products directly in the local market. The weavers taken the service of the clearing house specially during the lean season of weaving.
Marketing of products
The most crucial of all support to the weavers is that of marketing. If they cannot sell the products they produce they have to remain hungry. In 1988, UBINIG started the Consumer's Club among the buyers in Dhaka City, who became members to purchase clothes made by the weavers. In exchange they were given the benefit of 10% discount and a bonus at the end of the year.
In 1989, Prabartana, the sales outlet of UBINIG weaving project, was set up in Dhaka City to provide market support to the project and non-project weavers in Tangail. It is not only a shop to sell the handloom products but also a center where the consumers and producers have a chance to interact. This helps the producers to get a feed back about the quality and design of their products. Soon Prabartana started making links with weavers of other weaving pockets of Bangladesh. This also included weavers from the Hill Tracts and other ethnic communities of the country. The weavers in the ethnic communities specially could not make enough relations with the mainstream market forces of the big cities. But most interestingly NGOs working with weavers also contacted Prabartana to market and promote their products.
Experience Through Research works
The most crucial of all support to the weavers is that of marketing. If they cannot sell the products they produce they have to remain hungry. In 1988, UBINIG started the Consumer's Club among the buyers in Dhaka City, who became members to purchase clothes made by the weavers. In exchange they were given the benefit of 10% discount and a bonus at the end of the year.
In 1989, Prabartana, the sales outlet of UBINIG weaving project, was set up in Dhaka City to provide market support to the project and non-project weavers in Tangail. It is not only a shop to sell the handloom products but also a center where the consumers and producers have a chance to interact. This helps the producers to get a feed back about the quality and design of their products. Soon Prabartana started making links with weavers of other weaving pockets of Bangladesh. This also included weavers from the Hill Tracts and other ethnic communities of the country. The weavers in the ethnic communities specially could not make enough relations with the mainstream market forces of the big cities. But most interestingly NGOs working with weavers also contacted Prabartana to market and promote their products.
Experience Through Research works
Biomedical Research
As we told earlier Countries like Bangladesh are 'excellent' places for the West to conduct biomedical research on human subjects, especially on women and children. Historically, research on Tropical diseases like cholera and malaria were linked with military research. In Bangladesh research on cholera was first initiated during the pre-liberation Pakistan period under the Pakistan-SEATO agreement. SEATO stands for South East Asia Treaty Organisation; it was a military alliance to maintain the domination of the western power. One of our main focus of research is to delineate the continuity of this kind of research. Violation of the international ethics of informed consent and the principles of Declaration of Helsinki are other common features of biomedical research in Bangladesh. Research of unsafe contraceptive methods is being done on women without letting them know that they are subjects of biomedical research. UBINIG uncovers unethical research practices and undertake campaign works to stop this practice if necessary.
Norplant, a long-acting implant contraceptive is being experimented in Bangladesh. Norplant is a case of unethical research based on scientific lies, phony research and distortion of research findings. The safety aspect of the new contraceptive method has not been determined, yet it is allowed for use on a large scale. UBINIG has been raising the issue of Norplant since its inception. We have also raised alarm about the dumping of the harmful contraceptives such as Dalkon Shield and Depo-Provera which were banned for use in its country of origin, while allowed for use in developing countries.
Dumping of hazardous & toxic waste products
As we told earlier Countries like Bangladesh are 'excellent' places for the West to conduct biomedical research on human subjects, especially on women and children. Historically, research on Tropical diseases like cholera and malaria were linked with military research. In Bangladesh research on cholera was first initiated during the pre-liberation Pakistan period under the Pakistan-SEATO agreement. SEATO stands for South East Asia Treaty Organisation; it was a military alliance to maintain the domination of the western power. One of our main focus of research is to delineate the continuity of this kind of research. Violation of the international ethics of informed consent and the principles of Declaration of Helsinki are other common features of biomedical research in Bangladesh. Research of unsafe contraceptive methods is being done on women without letting them know that they are subjects of biomedical research. UBINIG uncovers unethical research practices and undertake campaign works to stop this practice if necessary.
Norplant, a long-acting implant contraceptive is being experimented in Bangladesh. Norplant is a case of unethical research based on scientific lies, phony research and distortion of research findings. The safety aspect of the new contraceptive method has not been determined, yet it is allowed for use on a large scale. UBINIG has been raising the issue of Norplant since its inception. We have also raised alarm about the dumping of the harmful contraceptives such as Dalkon Shield and Depo-Provera which were banned for use in its country of origin, while allowed for use in developing countries.
Dumping of hazardous & toxic waste products
Dumping of hazardous products from the developed countries is nothing new. It may be noted here that the harmful products have been dumped on Bangladesh in the name of drugs, pesticides, contraceptives and as food items such as powdered milk after Chernobyl. Since inception we have been involved in the protests against the dumping of various kinds of hazardous and toxic products from the developed countries. We have actively resisted the Orion-Hatch Bill of United States which was allowing the export of Hazardous products from US to the developing countries. This was a classic example of legalized export of products from the United states of America that are known to be harmful for humans and therefore not allowed to be marketed in the USA.
The toxic waste mixed fertilizer, which was imported in Bangladesh was challenged. The campaign on return to the sender is going on.
One can clearly see that dumping has various forms. The dumping of toxic wastes is easy for us to identify because they are explicitly classified as "wastes". But hazardous products that are being dumped in the name of drugs, pesticides, contraceptives and so on are not easy for the people to identify and resist. One of the important UBINIG activities in the area of environment is to make people conscious of such "legalized" dumping, dumping through scientific lie and factual distortion, etc.
One can clearly see that dumping has various forms. The dumping of toxic wastes is easy for us to identify because they are explicitly classified as "wastes". But hazardous products that are being dumped in the name of drugs, pesticides, contraceptives and so on are not easy for the people to identify and resist. One of the important UBINIG activities in the area of environment is to make people conscious of such "legalized" dumping, dumping through scientific lie and factual distortion, etc.
The increasingly unmanageable situation with the toxic wastes reveals an inner crisis of late capitalism. A crisis that is impossible for this system to solve. In the coming years the situation will be more and more acute and destructive for the world environment.
Environmental awareness is therefore a reflective stage in the history of the popular movements that has far reaching consequences for the future. Sooner or later, it will have to radically challenge the structure of the global capitalism and will be forced to decide how our earth is going to be appropriated for the benefit of all, for the human species in general. In this context, the environmental movement is a progressive movement that has an inner need to go beyond capitalism.
Violence Against Women and Women's Movement in Bangladesh
Environmental awareness is therefore a reflective stage in the history of the popular movements that has far reaching consequences for the future. Sooner or later, it will have to radically challenge the structure of the global capitalism and will be forced to decide how our earth is going to be appropriated for the benefit of all, for the human species in general. In this context, the environmental movement is a progressive movement that has an inner need to go beyond capitalism.
Violence Against Women and Women's Movement in Bangladesh
UBINIG plays an active role in women's development in Bangladesh. Emancipation of women by ensuring their social, economic, political and legal rights is our aim. Our research shows that women were never made a goal of a policy to receive the benefits of development; rather they were used as means to achieve other goals, such as population control and marketing of unsafe contraceptives. Women are only objects of social welfare and their contributions are ignored and denied.
Bangladesh has a glorious history of women's movement. UBINIG plays an active role through Narigrantha Prabartana. We are also active memebrs of different women's networks.
Narigrantha plays an active role in Sammilito Nari Samaj. In August 24, 1995 a 14 year girl, Yasmeen, was raped and killed by 3 police men in Dinajpur. Women organizations and women activists got together and formed Sammilito Nari Samaj (SNS), a common platform, to protest this incident and took up different programs to aware people of Bangladesh about the State Violence Against Women. We organized street meetings, protest processions, women's gathering, press conferences in Dhaka and in 13 districts in Bangladesh. A big gathering was organized in October, 1995 were Sammilito Nari Samaj declared that every year August 24th will be observed as Nari Nirjaton Protorodh Diosh (Day to Resist Violence Against Women).
Trade union and Worker's Right
Sramabikash Kendra is the trade union and development education wing of UBINIG. In English the name translates into "center for the development of labour". It aims to bridge the gap between research and worker's initiatives to develop healthy environment in trade union activities of Bangladesh. Apart from trade union and development education Sramabikash Kendra plays strong advocacy role with regard to policies that affect the lives of workers. It also plays crucial catalytic role in generating discussions and debates among the general workers and the trade union leaders on the issues of industrialisation and trade union issues from several perspectives; such as, industrialization and the distribution of national income, sectoral articulation of agriculture and industry, urbanization, worker's management of industries, occupational health hazards, technology and skill training, technology transfer, export led growth and national market, etc.
Narigrantha plays an active role in Sammilito Nari Samaj. In August 24, 1995 a 14 year girl, Yasmeen, was raped and killed by 3 police men in Dinajpur. Women organizations and women activists got together and formed Sammilito Nari Samaj (SNS), a common platform, to protest this incident and took up different programs to aware people of Bangladesh about the State Violence Against Women. We organized street meetings, protest processions, women's gathering, press conferences in Dhaka and in 13 districts in Bangladesh. A big gathering was organized in October, 1995 were Sammilito Nari Samaj declared that every year August 24th will be observed as Nari Nirjaton Protorodh Diosh (Day to Resist Violence Against Women).
Trade union and Worker's Right
Sramabikash Kendra is the trade union and development education wing of UBINIG. In English the name translates into "center for the development of labour". It aims to bridge the gap between research and worker's initiatives to develop healthy environment in trade union activities of Bangladesh. Apart from trade union and development education Sramabikash Kendra plays strong advocacy role with regard to policies that affect the lives of workers. It also plays crucial catalytic role in generating discussions and debates among the general workers and the trade union leaders on the issues of industrialisation and trade union issues from several perspectives; such as, industrialization and the distribution of national income, sectoral articulation of agriculture and industry, urbanization, worker's management of industries, occupational health hazards, technology and skill training, technology transfer, export led growth and national market, etc.
Since 1986, UBINIG has been working with workers with special attention to women. The emergence of female labours in garment sector has been noticed since 1975 but the major inflow occurred during the decade of eighties and continuing until to day. For a long time women workers remained unnoticed by the development organisations. The workers were not aware of the legal rights to form unions and improve working conditions. There were particular gaps existed in the works of the trade unions to address the question of female workers. The policy of export oriented industrialisation relaxed factory regulations and labour laws. Therefore it was necessary to understand the situation of the workers in garment industries, shrimp processing industries and informal sector thoroughly to undertake policy measures for improved working condition and factory management as well as to ensure the right of the workers.
The effects of Structural Adjustment and policy lending of multilateral agencies, especially privatization, deregulation and de-unionization on the workers of Bangladesh is the key research concern of Sramabikash. The Center also monitors the GATT negotiation and informs the workers about the possible consequences of liberalized international trade and agreements.
The effects of Structural Adjustment and policy lending of multilateral agencies, especially privatization, deregulation and de-unionization on the workers of Bangladesh is the key research concern of Sramabikash. The Center also monitors the GATT negotiation and informs the workers about the possible consequences of liberalized international trade and agreements.
Education Programme
The existing system of education excludes the poor and the children in the farming and weaving families. The white-collar based education alienates the poor children and therefore, they cannot adopt to the system. On the other had, poor people are blamed for being "unconscious" by not sending their children to receive the so-called free primary.
UBINIG's research with poor families in the urban slums and with the poor farming and weaving families revealed that they are very much eager to receive education. Therefore, UBINIG got involved in the education Programme for the poor children in the urban areas and rural poor children. One of the main characteristics of UBINIG school is to provide education on social issues, environmental issues and issues related to the productive activities of their families. The children also follow the primary education curriculum. At present, three schools run by UBINIG in Tangail, Cox's Bazar, and Dhaka city.
Nabapran Andolon: Cultural activities
We are working at the cultural level to communicate with the common people and to understand the inherent philosophical content of the society. The songs composed by the poets, saints etc. are collected for analysis. Musical programmes are organized in the rural and urban areas on various occasions
Population Control and Women's Reproductive Health
Through our works at national and international level UBINIG is known as an organization which have created a movement against population control policies as a coercive and anti-poor policy. We fight against the ideological notion by which depopulating strategies equate population control with family planning. We also fight against the violence done against women in promoting unsafe, modern but harmful contraceptive methods that benefit the multinational corporations and other vested interested groups.
The existing system of education excludes the poor and the children in the farming and weaving families. The white-collar based education alienates the poor children and therefore, they cannot adopt to the system. On the other had, poor people are blamed for being "unconscious" by not sending their children to receive the so-called free primary.
UBINIG's research with poor families in the urban slums and with the poor farming and weaving families revealed that they are very much eager to receive education. Therefore, UBINIG got involved in the education Programme for the poor children in the urban areas and rural poor children. One of the main characteristics of UBINIG school is to provide education on social issues, environmental issues and issues related to the productive activities of their families. The children also follow the primary education curriculum. At present, three schools run by UBINIG in Tangail, Cox's Bazar, and Dhaka city.
Nabapran Andolon: Cultural activities
We are working at the cultural level to communicate with the common people and to understand the inherent philosophical content of the society. The songs composed by the poets, saints etc. are collected for analysis. Musical programmes are organized in the rural and urban areas on various occasions
Population Control and Women's Reproductive Health
Through our works at national and international level UBINIG is known as an organization which have created a movement against population control policies as a coercive and anti-poor policy. We fight against the ideological notion by which depopulating strategies equate population control with family planning. We also fight against the violence done against women in promoting unsafe, modern but harmful contraceptive methods that benefit the multinational corporations and other vested interested groups.
For the countries in the West, countries like Bangladesh is an "excellent" place to conduct biomedical research on human subjects, especially on women and children. Research of unsafe contraceptive method is being done on women without letting them know that they are subjects of biomedical research. UBINIG uncovered the unethical research practice of NORPLANT, a long-acting implant contraceptive, in Bangladesh. We undertook campaign works to resist this practice and are working to aware people about the "Violence against Women by Harmful, Coercive Contraceptive Methods".
We want to make people aware about "Violation of Informed Consent" as described in the Helsinki Declaration and are carrying out a campaign to ensure the informed decision of the couples about family planning. Rights of women to take decision in this respect is important and we want to protect her from patriarchal oppression.
We have published books, booklets, posters and write articles in the national and international journal, magazines regularly. We have produced a video documentary on issues related to violence against women by unsafe contraceptives. We also organize and actively participate in seminars, workshops, conferences at national, regional and international level to share and disseminate information. We keep contacts with different national and international networks working on this issue.
Bangladesh always knew that the one and only problem is POPULATION. And each and every body took up action to prevent the growth and a lot of development organization had family planning program. Through these organizations government was implementing the population control policies and the malti-national companies were selling their products and our women were the victims. UBINIG felt that a this idea should be changed and we held an international conference in Bangladesh on issues related to Reproductive Health, Abuse of Reproductive Technologies, Genetic Engineering etc.. After the conference we did find out like minded persons and formed a network, "Network to Resist Abuse of Contraceptives on Women's Health", widely known as "Resistance Network". At national level we actively work Resistance Network. This network has 24 members and are working to aware general people about the effects of harmful, unsafe contraceptives are used on women's bodies with out any information.
