Some major projects and studies implemented by Steps in recent years

  • Steps conducted a study on “Factors and Impacts of drop out at Secondary Education in Bangladesh” in association with Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information, and Statistics (BANBEIS), Ministry of Education during May-June 2023.
  • Steps conducted a study on “Status of Higher Secondary Teachers’ Capacity on using ICT for Blended Learning” in 64 Upazila and 16 districts under 8 divisions of the country from June to December 2022. This project was financed by BANBEIS, Ministry of Education. Like all other Steps projects, this project too will give importance on gender aspects in all stages.
  • A Study on “Identifying and Mapping Existing Types of CSME in Bangladesh” was conducted during January–December 2022 funded by SME Foundation. This project has implemented in 8 divisions and 64 districts and it is keen to promote and protect rights of small women entrepreneurs.
  • Study on “Scenario of Drug Trafficking in the Thirty-two Border Districts in Bangladesh and the Determination of integrated Strategies to Combat Drug Trafficking” is currently running (January-June 2022) in 32 districts under 6 divisions. Like all other projects of Steps, this project also considers gender perspectives/gender concerns in all phases e.g. questionnaire development and interview process, data collection, data analysis and reporting etc.
  • “Evaluation of the Implemented Activities of the Service and Support Centers for the Persons with Disability” (Period 2016-17 to 2019-20) funded by Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation, Ministry of Social Welfare was implemented in 25 districts of 8 divisions. In different activities of this project, violence against women with disabilities was well addressed.
  • Study on ‘Preventing minors from illicit drug abuse through identifying the risk factors and their mental health condition: Bangladesh perspective’ (1 January to June 2020) was funded by Department of narcotics control, ministry of home affairs and implemented in 8 divisions and 64 districts. This project addressed abuse and mental health issues of minor girls.
  • “Evaluate the effectiveness of grants to improve the living standards of minorities, ethnic groups and communities” (1 January to June 2021) funded by Bangladesh Jatiyo Samaj Kallyan Parishad, Ministry of Social Welfare. This project was implemented in 2 divisions, 6 districts and 6 upazilla and gave special attention on VAW against minority and ethnic women.
  • Project titled ‘APARAJITA- Political Empowerment of Women’ supported by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Bangladesh and funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation-SDC (Project Duration: 2011-2022). This project was implemented in 3 districts and 11 upazila of Barishal Division. Combating VAW and promote women human rights by engaging women elected representatives were one of the major priority focus of this project.
  • Research on ‘Drug trafficking through courier services: A systematic analysis’ (1 December 2020 to June 2021) was funded by Department of narcotics control, Ministry of Home Affairs and implemented in 32 Districts of 8 divisions.
  • Project titled ‘Local Governance Program- SHARIQUE (PHASE- IV)’ supported by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Bangladesh and funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation-SDC (Project Duration: 2017-2019 and working area was 10 Upazila and 1 district of Barishal Division). Inclusion of VAW, early marriage and SRHR issues in Local Government’s gender budget and planning was a major part of activities in that project.
  • Project titled ‘Best School for Girls and Boys’ (1 January 2017 to December 2017); supported by Bangladesh Bank. This project focused on ensuring violence-free and gender responsive educational institutes and worked in 437 schools of the Steps working area.
  • ‘Strengthening Civil Society Participation for CEDAW Implementation in Bangladesh’ supported by UN Women (Project Duration: 2012-2019) in 6 divisions and 18 districts. Noteworthy, VAW is a cross cutting issue of CEDAW convention. Being the Secretariat of CIC-BD platform, Steps continues to play the coordinating role among the member organizations.
  • Project titled ‘AGNIJITA- Political Empowerment of Marginalized Women through Responsive Governance and Services’ supported by DanChurch Aid-DCA (Project Duration: 2013-2016) widely addressed VAW against marginalized women and implemented in 3 Division (Rajshahi, Barishal & Mymensing), 3 district and 5 upazilla.
  • Project titled `Strengthening Movement to Advance Women’s Rights and Gender Equality’ funded by EKN, Embassy of Sweden and Oxfam Novib, implemented in 6 divisions, 18 districts and 255 upazilla in Bangladesh during October 2009 to September 2014.