Background of SDS: SDS was established in the year 1991 as a non-profit, non-political, non government voluntary organization with the initiative of some local dedicated & committed people who are connective with social service activities for overall development of disaster victim people by giving humanitarian supports and its proper utilization for income generation and rehabilitation at Shariatpur district of Bangladesh. The founder of the organization was taken initiative in collaboration with the like-minded Red-cross workers to launch an organization for the development of disadvantaged people after the devastating flood of 1988. Some lawyers, journalists, businessmen and women workers were the front line initiator to establishment SDS. The organization formally starts its work on 1st September, 1991 and after getting registration from social welfare department in 1992, it extended its actions on child-health and family planning surrounding villages of Shariatpur Sadar Upazilla. During interment on family planning for a year it was observed that family planning recipients especially women were malnourished, deprived in their families and were neglected by their husbands. Above all, women were also tortured by their husbands as they were accepting family planning methods. Additionally, on the survey report it was unanimously agreed by General committee, Executive committee, Advisory committee and workers of the organization that steps needs to be taken to implement family law and women rights in the society. Therefore, SDS started with group formation, organized weekly meetings for women. Groups of women started to learn about their rights from weekly meetings and discussions. At this stage, OXFAM (UK & I, presently GB) came forward to assist “SDS”. At present, SDS is working in the field of Disaster Management, Climate Change Adaptation, Poverty alleviation, Training, Education, Agriculture, Health & Nutrition, Advocacy, Arbitration and Legal support, Environment, Water & Sanitation (WATSAN) Climate change adaptation, HIV/AIDS, Micro Finance & Women and Child Rights.

Vision: A just society without poverty, equality for everyone, decent place to live

Mission: The mission of SDS is to facilitate initiatives to work with underprivileged people to uplift their present situation. SDS is also committed to collectively work towards establishing economic, social, cultural, health, political and environmental rights as well as to bring about accountable and transparent governance system at all spheres of the society.

Core Values: 1. Honesty    2. Gender sensitive 3. Each other respect   4.Democracy   5.Non-judgmental in religious beliefs  6.Friendly work place 7. Always learn from the community

 Goal:

• Enhance easily accessible, cost effective and sustainable financial services to the people living in the SDS project area that would enable increased investment in income generating activities resulting in an increase of their income levels for financial development as well as social development.
• Solidarity and collective action by community members and action by duty bearers towards realizing the rights of women and men and reducing gender discrimination, exploitation and violence against women and girls.
• Increased involvement of women and men to ensure the enrollment and retention of girls in school, and increased access of women and men to life management education required for secure livelihoods and personal development
• Boost agricultural sustainability, adoptability, food security and good nutrition
• Reduce risk and build resilience to disasters and climate change with a focus on adaptation
• Diminish health vulnerability including child mortality, maternal mortality, water, sanitation and hygiene
• Ensure equal participation and effective representation of marginalized groups, thereby strengthening inclusive democratic governance.

Objective:

1. To organize the backward rural women.
2. To raise skill through training and education.
3. To lead the target people to take initiative for establish human of human rights.
4. To improve health situation through PHC Service.
5. To endeavor changes in respect of gender relation in family & society.
6. To improve WATSAN Situation.
7. To reduce loss of the people caused by the disaster.
8. To raise family income of the poor community through IGA.
9. To motivate/trained the local government and community people on disaster management.

Core values: a. Equity b. Justice c. Democracy d. Participation and e. Accountability.

Major Focus area of interpenetration:

1. Institutional Capacity Building
2. Microfinance
3. Non Formal Education
4. Training
5. Humanitarian Program
6. Food security & Livelihood
7. Health & Sanitation
8. Advocacy for Basic Services, land advocacy, Advocacy on pro poor issues Legal Support.
9. Mass campaign and develop IEC materials.
10. Folk song & Street drama
11. Campaign against domestic violence
12. Climate Change Adaptation
13. Women & Child Rights
14. HIV/AIDS.
15. Value Chain

Working Area