Women in the Lead
Monitoring Health Services in Bangladesh
​- Samia Afrin, Sarita Barapanda, Dr. Abhijit Das

This case study highlights the accountability component of the Women’s Health and Rights Advocacy Partnership (WHRAP) initiative which is operational in five districts and 14 upazillas (sub districts) of southern Bangladesh. WHRAP is a partnership with 16 NGOs.Naripokkho works with these NGOs to strengthen the accountability mechanisms of health systems through a three pronged approach. Here, women from the marginalised sections have organised into groups at the village level (Nari Dal) and monitor the Community Health Clinics and the Upazilla Health Complexes. As a second step Naripokkho has trained the functionaries of its partner organisations to conduct monitoring visits in the local District and sub- district (Upazilla) hospitals. As the third strategy Naripokkho and its partners are working with Members of Parliament, local elected representatives and other members of the hospital management committees to create a participatory and relevant review and planning mechanism.