Dhaka, Bangladesh — First Partners Meeting of National Taskforce (NTF) of Bangladesh on Raising Voices from the South for Integration of Human Rights Based Approach to Maternal Health was held at the Directorate General of Family Planning premises in Dhaka on 21st June 2012. The objective of this meeting was to introduce the project to the National Taskforce members and to share and request feedback on a draft situation analysis report prepared by reviewing international treaties, commitments, gaps in implementations and status of maternal health in Bangladesh.
Mr. AKM Amir Hossain, Director General, and Directorate General of Family Planning inaugurated the session. In his speech he focused on the Bangladesh Government commitment towards maternal health and welcomed PPD to be a leader in the integration of Human Rights Based Approach to Maternal Health.
Dr. Lorna Tumwebaze delivered a speech in this occasion where she described on PPD’s commitments and anticipated that all NTF members and other professionals to provide their invaluable inputs to make the project a success one. She proclaimed that her organization believe that the human rights provide a framework for governments to take action, and in particular to ensure that their laws and policies are supportive of maternal health and do not present barriers.
Mr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and PCC of PPD and Dr. Mohammed Sharif, Director (MCH-Services, Directorate General of Family Planning were also attended the meeting. Dr. Mahbubur Rashid, Program officer of PPD made a presentation on the overview of the project and Mr. Hiren representative of DRRA presented on situation analysis on maternal health in the context of Human rights based approach in Bangladesh.
This project is funded by World Bank and PPD partnered with DRRA to implement the project in Bangladesh with the full support of National Taskforce (NTF) for South-South Cooperation under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh. The project aims to enhance capacity of relevant government officials and key stakeholders in maternal health to improve their policies and programs and make them more equitable and supportive for women and girls especially the most vulnerable. It is also expected that the project helps countries to establish effective mechanisms of accountability, non-discrimination, partnership building for the prevention of unacceptably needless maternal deaths and injuries accounted each year.