Learning Brief: Adapting SASA! Together to mobilise communities against GBV in Bangladesh

As part of a multi-intervention Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention project, UN Women and partners adapted and implemented SASA! Together, a community mobilisation approach, in 12 communities in 3 districts of Bangladesh. Materials for the first two phases (Start and Awareness) were translated into Bangla and adapted for the local context. In each village, the project set up Community Activist Groups (CAGs) and Community Leader Groups (CLGs). CAGs met monthly and CLGs met quarterly and both groups also led community activities and stakeholder dialogues.

However, implementation diverged from the recommended SASA! Together approach due to administrative delays, adaptations due to the COVID pandemic and limited financial resources to implement with the recommended intensity. Nonetheless, community members have clearly valued this intervention, and there is potential to build on this experience either to continue to fully adapt, pilot and implement SASA! Together in these communities or to develop a fully localised intervention inspired by SASA! Together.