WBB Home

WBB Trust strongly believes in the need to create a more just and equitable society, including the importance of increasing women's rights and women's empowerment.  WBB is committed to supporting initiatives to increase women's voice in the home, the community, and in politics, and to increasing women's and girls' access to needed resources such as education, health care, jobs, and credit.  Higher status of women will benefit all in society--children and men as well as women.  WBB believes that men are vital partners in the work to reduce gender inequity and to respect the rights of women and girls. 

WBB has received funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to partner with PATH Canada on a three-year, two-country program on gender beginning 1st November 2004.  Bangladesh and Vietnam will address problems of gender inequality, negative gender stereotypes, involvement of men in reproductive health, and violence against women.  India will be an informal partner in the work on gender issues.

Our key objectives are to:

1.  Change men’s perceptions of masculinity to include positive factors such as taking economic responsibility for the family, supporting others, being an active member of the household, and being a good role model for and being actively involved in the raising of children.

2.  Reduce the social acceptability of violence among men, promote more positive ways of resolving conflict, and raise the perceived worth of females.

3.  Contribute to the policy debate on women’s rights and work to improve the legal situation of women.

4.  Build capacity of local NGOs and government staff to work effectively in gender equality and male responsibility in reproductive and sexual health.

The program will utilize research, information sharing, partnership with NGOs, media activities, and other means to reach our audience and promote a more gender-balanced society.