Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) yesterday formally launched a four-year project in the capital's Cirdap, that has been providing social, legal and medical support to survivors of gender violence in four districts, in collaboration with the government.

The project, titled "Astha: strengthening access to multisectoral public services for gender-based violence”, has been in operation in Patuakhali, Jamalpur, Bogura and Cox's Bazar since 2017.

It receives technical support from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and is funded by Embassy of The Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Speaking at the programme, Nasima Begum, secretary to the ministry of women and children affairs, said "We are operating help lines such as 999 and 109 for reporting cases and minimising risk of gender violence."

"We aim to ensure a life free of discrimination and violence for everyone," said Harry Verweij, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

UNFPA deputy representative Eiko Narita also spoke at the programme.