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Lessons in Introducing Youth Reproductive Health in Conservative Settings- Bangladesh

Lessons in Introducing Youth Reproductive Health in Conservative Settings- Bangladesh. ARH Communication Program . Bangladesh Country Setting . 140 million population, 88% Muslim Discussing RH with youth considered “taboo” Generally people misinterpret ARH as “sex education”

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Lessons in Introducing Youth Reproductive Health in Conservative Settings- Bangladesh

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  1. Lessons in Introducing Youth Reproductive Health in Conservative Settings- Bangladesh

  2. ARH Communication Program Bangladesh Country Setting • 140 million population, 88% Muslim • Discussing RH with youth considered “taboo” • Generally people misinterpret ARH as “sex education” • Youth mostly guided by rumors and misgivings • GoB was skeptical of undertaking youth RH program

  3. ARH Communication Program Adolescents’ Scenario in Bangladesh • 36 million adolescents (10 – 19) • Early marriage & early pregnancy remain the norm • Little access to RH information & services • 36% of married adolescents are either pregnant or already have a child • Only 5.2% male and 4% female adolescent know about STI

  4. ARH Communication Program HCP Strategic Approach • Understand the needs and perceptions of youth, community and the society • Identify accurate, relevant and consistent information for youth on RH issues • Formation of ARH Working Group to serve as Advisory Panel • Develop Communication Strategy

  5. ARH Communication Program HCP Strategic Approach A session developing communication strategy in progress

  6. ARH Communication Program Objectives of the Program • Sensitize and provide life skills to adolescents and predispose them to delay sexual debut, marriage and pregnancy • Create enabling environment for them to act on knowledge, motivation and skills gained through the program

  7. “Know Yourself” Toolkit Toolkit Four Booklets Four Interactive Videos with Facilitators Guide ARH Communication Program

  8. Entertainment Education 39- episode Radio Program 13-episode Situational Comedy Comic book series ARH Communication Program

  9. Street Drama and Pot Songs Pot song Street Drama ARH Communication Program

  10. Branding Campaign • ‘Know Yourself’ logo • “Nejeke Jano Shoffalo Ano”- “Know Yourself Bringing Success” • Local and regional campaign • 3 TVCs and Radio spots • Broadcast on BTV, ATN and other cable networks ARH Communication Program

  11. ARH Communication Program Key Challenges • Resistance from religious leaders halted the program in some localities. Some sensitive words, pictures, illustrations created confusions. Addressed with • Involvement of key community influential • Clarification of the issue- “ARH program is not sex education” by the school teachers • Recruitment of key GoB officials as speakers • Audience segmentation- separate sessions for male and female adolescents

  12. ARH Communication Program Key Lessons Learned • Sensitization and advocacy at all levels are critical • Creating enabling environment and early involvement of community institutions make a difference • Ensuring consistency of message and quality of materials are important for multi-sector partnership • Building capacity of partners and providing life skills to adolescents are key to sustain the program • “No rush, no bypass” while working in a conservative setting

  13. DG, Directorate General of Family Planning, MoHFW DG, Directorate General of Health Services, MoHFW Social and Political Environment ARH Communication Program

  14. Secretary, MoHFW Secretary, MoI Social and Political Environment ARH Communication Program

  15. Mission Director, USAID Visits School Programs US Ambassador Visits ARH Corner at American Week Social and Political Environment ARH Communication Program

  16. Social and Political Environment ARH Communication Program • Workshops with DGFP – 100+ Senior Officials • Workshops with DGHS – 150+ Senior Officials • International Workshop on Strategic Communication for Adolescents with a focus on life skills • Marketing of comic books and toolkit through private agency- open market sales

  17. HIV/AIDS Campaign ARH Communication Program

  18. Life Skills Sessions ARH Communication Program

  19. ‘Know Yourself’ Reach ARH Communication Program • 13 NGOs (rural and urban) • 6432 adolescents through 430 workshops • 60 orientations of teachers & community leaders • 200 parental orientations • 5 million booklets and 1 million comic books produced/used by partners • 70% of the people reached through mass media

  20. Key Achievements ARH Communication Program • Mainstreaming ARH into GoB & NGO programs • Network of Life Skills Trainers • ARH friendly corners functioning • BCCP received Global Media Award • Cost shared by UNICEF and others • National ARH Strategy developed

  21. Adolescent Reproductive Health Strategy 2006-2015 ARH Communication Program

  22. ARH Communication Program ARH Communication Endline Survey 2007 reveals that exposure to the program appears to have: • Increased knowledge of RH • Encouraged interpersonal communication about RH with parents and elder family members • Increased adolescents’ self-esteem and critical thinking skills, with mixed effects on their confidence to solve problems

  23. Sustainability ARH Communication Program Given the successes and achievements, further investment is worth making to fully institutionalize the program in schools

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