Purpose of consultancy:

The UNFPA 10^th Country Programme will contribute to the equitable enjoyment of sexual and reproductive rights of all Sri Lankans particularly among girls, women and young people. The fund works towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda through three transformative goals to

1. End unmet need for family planning
2. End preventable maternal deaths and
3. End sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and harmful practices.

Within this context, UNFPA Sri Lanka aims to tackle the issue of sexual harassment in public transport, an ongoing challenge globally and in Sri Lanka. Contributing factors include overcrowding, low levels of awareness, and insufficient bystander intervention, all of which must be addressed urgently. Public transport is crucial for the country’s efficiency, with women facing significant barriers to utilizing transport due to frequent harassment, which impedes their participation in work and educational opportunities.

The project aims to enhance prevention and support risk mitigation measures to ensure the safety of passengers in public transport. As such, the UNFPA Sri Lanka aims to hire an individual consultant to develop a comprehensive gender sensitivity and GBV prevention training module that addresses sexual harassment, empowering transport workers to prevent and respond to such incidents. The module will also focus on bystander intervention techniques to foster a culture of zero tolerance for harassment in public transport settings.

Scope of work:

The consultant will undertake the following activities:

• Develop a Gender Sensitivity and SGBV  (including sexual harassment [SH]) Prevention Training Module: Develop a training module on gender sensitivity and GBV and SH prevention tailored for transport workers, focusing on preventing sexual harassment and promoting respectful behavior. The module will also include bystander intervention strategies and practical guidance on how to address harassment in public transport settings, ensuring it is culturally appropriate and relevant to the Sri Lankan context.
• Consult with Key Stakeholders: Conduct small group consultations with relevant stakeholders (Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, National Transport Commission, Ceylon Transport Board, Western Province Transport Authority, Department of Railways etc.) and UNFPA trainers that have conducted recent training for transport sector officials  and crews  among others to gather insights on the challenges and needs related to SGBV including SH prevention in public transport.
• Conduct a Validation Workshop: Organize a workshop to present the draft module to key stakeholders for review and feedback, incorporating recommendations as needed.