Country : Bangladesh

Organization Name : ACD - Association for Community Development

Overview : The Association for Community Development’s (ACD’s) primary mandate is to ensure the rights of women and children in the greater Rajshahi region. Its programmes endeavour to integrate community development and human rights strategies; however, its focus remains on women, adolescents and children at the community level. ACD works to combat the trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children.

ACD provides services to adults and child victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation. ACD seeks to mobilise local resources while sensitising the local community to the impacts of trafficking and other human rights issues. It is also involved in programmes for the repatriation and rehabilitation of trafficked women and children. ACD works with child victims of violence, trafficking, rape and acid throwing; child migrants; those who are at risk; and vulnerable and disadvantaged children or members of vulnerable and disadvantaged families.

In the areas of prevention, protection and development of vulnerable street children and children in urban slums and hazardous conditions, ACD operates shelter homes, drop-in centers (DICs), community based semi-institutional socialisation centres and community interventions. ACD has also been implementing a social awareness, advocacy and networking programme to prevent child prostitution through various activities, such as life skills training, psychosocial counselling, medical services and vocational training among peers to assist adolescents engaged in prostitution. ACD also conducts social rehabilitation activities for rescued adolescents by involving them in income-generating activities and providing training in areas such as establishing poultry farms, block-batik tie-dye and sewing. ACD conducts follow ups of the rehabilitated adolescent girls and maintains linkages through community support.

Membership Status : Affiliate Groups