VOICES FROM THE MARGINS
BUILDING EVIDENCE FOR INCLUSIVE POLICY RESPONSES TO COVID-19 IN BANGLADESH
2nd Policy Brief
The Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) conducted a three-round panel survey in order to draw empirical evidence from the marginalised community on their experiences with the Covid-19 pandemic. The household panel surveys focused on three pre-identified disadvantaged groups namely (i) ethnic and religious minority community, (ii) rural communities, (iii) and urban slum dwellers. Two groups, namely female headed households and persons with disability were considered as cross cutting groups. The sample size for each of these three groups were statistically representative. Data analysis was done for each of the three groups and then for the two sub-groups separately. An aggregate analysis for all the three groups was carried out to present overarching trends and findings. A comparative analysis of the ethnic minority communities were explored separately to nuance out the variations and convergences between those residing in plain land and hill tracts.
The first round of survey was conducted in June 2021 (baseline survey) and the second round in September 2021. A core set of questions was fixed across the different rounds of surveys to ensure comparison and tracking of the movement of key indicators. A separate set of questions was included in the second round, which was analysed as a stand-alone narrative.
1.0 ABOUT THE RESEARCH
The project’s aim was to create an information data-loop to inform and influence public policies and state responses on Covid-19 related relief, recovery and resilience measures. CPJ has established an innovative platform called “Policy Clinic”, which intends to identify and prioritise appropriate policy responses by examining the empirical findings. Such policy responses would also fill gaps in existing policies and encourage inclusive policy-making.
CPJ has conducted two policy clinic sessions with the participation of policy makers, government officials, academics, professionals, as well as members from various networks and coalitions representing the marginalised communities. The research findings were shared during the Policy Clinics and the participants identified the most striking problems caused by the
2.0 POLICY CLINIC - AN INNOVATIVE
PLATFORM FOR POLICY ANALYSIS
While mass vaccination is reportedly the best way to combat the spread of COVID-19, it is evident from CPJ’s research findings that there is a significant disparity in terms of vaccination within the marginalised communities. One of the key disparities is the fact that more of the urban population has been vaccinated than those in rural areas. The research has identified two major contributors, firstly, prevalence of misconceptions and misrepresentations about the vaccine among the rural population. Secondly, accessing COVID vaccine is largely inconvenient for a vast majority of the national population. It could be mentioned here that not only is the general healthcare infrastructure an impediment to the effort, but the vaccination registration process itself posed a major obstacle.
3.0 VACCINE
DEPLOYMENT
3.1 Recommendations
In order to address the challenges with vaccine deployment, the following recommendations have been put forward keeping in mind the identified actors, and they were validated by the Policy Clinic.
Relevant Authorities: Vaccine Deployment Steering Committee/ Local Government Administration
i) The entire vaccination effort should be controlled and implemented from one central hub. The local community clinics should function as a one-stop vaccine solution centre.
ii) All pertinent information about the vaccination process should be available at the one-stop centres.
iii) Individuals should be able to register for the vaccine at these centres using the existing process.
iv) These centres should be equipped to provide or assist with the documents necessary to register for the vaccination process (for example: NID cards)
v) Physicians or medical experts should be present at these centres in order to respond to immediate reactions to the vaccine or provide advice to those seeking it.
vi) Local pharmacies and pharmacists should also be trained to help their customers learn about the vaccine and its registration process.
vii) The vaccine registration process needs to consider particular needs of individual communities when disseminating research or designing registration and administration processes. There are currently no indicators following the needs of persons with disabilities, and the registration process does not take into account the difficulties faced by such individuals.
Relevant Authorities: Government of Bangladesh (Directorate General of Health Services and Dept. of Mass Communications) and Civil Society Organisations (e.g.
Health Watch, BRAC, etc).
i) There should be a coherent communications strategy to engage communities on matters relating to the pandemic and the vaccine. An example of such a strategy can be found here. All media outlets and individuals addressing the public should refer to this strategy to maintain consistency.
ii) Bangladesh already has numerous legal frameworks that criminalise the spread of rumours. The cyber-security team should be fitted with fact-checking engines to weed out rumours on social media.
iii) Targeted advertisements need to be devised in order to specifically seek
4.0 IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC
The impact of the on-going pandemic has affected most sectors, and the Policy Clinic has identified certain common themes.
4.1 Psychological Disorientation
The pandemic has affected a significant portion of the population, which is suffering from some form of psychological disorientation. Individuals have been living in isolation and with very little access to social activities, such as, schooling, extra- curricular activities, and physical exercise. Moreover, access to psychosocial support is very limited in Bangladesh and seeking support itself is often stigmatised.
4.1.1 Recommendations
Relevant Authorities: Government of Bangladesh (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information and Technology)
i) Upazilla health centres already have physicians trained to respond to non- communicable diseases. Those physicians should be equipped to respond to mental health conditions through counselling.
ii) Online/telephone psychosocial support systems should be created to respond to community needs. The system should be supported by trained physicians and counsellors.
iiI) Localised and targeted advertisements of the availability of such support structures need to be undertaken through local television and community radio stations. Local community clinics also need to be adequately informed to help direct individuals towards such support.
iv) Nationwide assessment of mental health support structures in order to further investigate the needs.
During the pandemic, and as a result of policies implemented to limit the spread of the virus, many individuals have lost their jobs and access to livelihoods. Furthermore, with a growing workforce and shrinking work opportunities, unemployment and loss of livelihood have become rampant throughout the country. This has resulted in increased anxiety for a significant chunk of the population. The regeneration of livelihoods and work opportunities is an infrastructural matter that can only be addressed in the long term, but immediate steps can be taken in order to start this process.
Relevant Authorities: Government of Bangladesh (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Labour and Works, and Ministry of Aid), Banks, and Mobile/ Online Financial Platforms
i) A nationwide strategy to be implemented to reinvigorate the rural economy and marginalised communities. The strategy must account for the post-pandemic area and focus on creating working opportunities.
ii) Distribution of material rations and aid needs to be replaced with direct cash injections to individuals to meet basic needs. Rations limit an individual’s ability to prioritise their spending needs.
iii) Cash injections can be coordinated through banks and mobile finance platforms. This form of aid can be tracked and traced through phone registration and associated National ID cards for each registered SIM card.
iv) Banks need to offer micro-credit loans together with entrepreneurship development support.
4.2 Unemployment and Livelihood
Contributed by
Supported by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Covid Collective is based at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). The Collective brings together the expertise of, UK and Southern based research partner organisations and offers a rapid social science research response to inform decision-making on some of the most pressing Covid-19 related development challenges.
This report was funded by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the Covid Collective. It is licensed for non-commercial purposes only. Except where otherwise stated, it is licensed for non- commercial purposes under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0. Covid Collective cannot be held responsible for errors, omissions or any consequences arising from the use of information contained. Any views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of FCDO, Covid Collective or any other contributing organisation.
Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) is a multi-disciplinary academic institute, which promotes global peace and social justice through quality education, research, training and advocacy. CPJ is committed to identifying and promoting sustainable and inclusive solutions to a wide range of global concerns and issues, including fragility, conflict and violence.
Mrinmoy Samadder Senior Researcher (Operations)
Centre for Peace and Justice Brac University Nahida Akter
Research Associate Centre for Peace and Justice Brac University Hossain Mohammed Omar Khayum
Research Associate Centre for Peace and Justice Brac University Ahmed Shafquat Hassan Research Associate Centre for Peace and Justice Brac University
Acknowledgement
Photograph Acknowledgement Cover photo- from Canva (free photo)
Photograph on page 7- captured by Shahariar Sadat
