Program Successes: Democracy & Governance

• Three peaceful electoral transfers of power, with 75% voter turnout, since 1991.
  
  
• The role of independent domestic election observers has been strengthened and is now widely accepted.
  
  
• The Municipal Association of Bangladesh, formed in 2003 and the first of its kind in Bangladesh, represents 231 out of a total of 281 Pourashavas. The National Union Parishad Forum was also created in 2003.
  
  
• Bangladesh is a South Asian leader for civil society-based anti-corruption efforts. Transparency International Bangladesh led a five-country corruption study in 2002.
  
  
• Children's councils have helped reorient communities' attitudes regarding children's rights in health and education and reduced child marriages in targeted areas. Currently, 1,750 children's councils are in place.
  
  
• From July 2000 to July 2003, the American Center for International Labor Solidarity assisted garment workers in filing 976 claims against employers. The success rate is 49%.