Purpose of the Initiative

The activity aimed to strengthen adolescent girls’ awareness of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and establish a local network for communication, mutual support and awareness-building.

It provided opportunities to discuss adolescent health, gender equality, consent, personal boundaries and safety. The programme also addressed online harassment and the importance of accessing reliable information, appropriate support and health services.

Participants and Resource Persons

Participants included adolescent girls from Government Children’s Family (South and North), Barishal, institutional representatives, AVAS representatives, volunteers, support staff and invited resource persons.

Jannatun Naeym Oyshi, Deputy Executive Director of AVAS, delivered the welcome speech.

The resource persons were Sub-Inspector Nusrat Jahan Pikli of Kotwali Model Police Station, Barishal, and Dr. Tanzila Tajin, Physician at the Mother and Child Welfare Centre, Barishal.

Farzana Rahman, Deputy Superintendent of Government Children’s Family (South), Barishal, was also present.

Adolescent Health and Rights

The sessions covered physical and psychological changes during adolescence, menstrual health management, personal hygiene and access to health services. Discussions also addressed the health risks associated with child marriage and early pregnancy.

Consent, personal boundaries and gender equality formed part of the programme. Through interactive discussions and question-and-answer sessions, girls could ask questions, express their views and raise concerns about their health, rights and personal safety.

Online Safety and Protection from Harassment

Special attention was given to cyberbullying, online harassment and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).

The discussions covered protecting personal photographs and information, preserving digital evidence and reporting harassment. These topics gave participants an opportunity to discuss concerns about safety in digital spaces alongside their wider health and rights questions.

Strengthening Support in Institutional Care

The discussions highlighted gaps in SRHR knowledge among adolescent girls living in institutional care and the importance of continuous access to age-appropriate, reliable information.

The activity also identified a need to strengthen the knowledge and practical skills of institutional staff and caregivers. This would help them provide appropriate SRHR information, adolescent-friendly guidance and necessary support.

Regular awareness sessions, capacity-building activities and referral linkages with healthcare professionals were identified as important steps for addressing these needs.

Formation of a Local Adolescent Girls’ SRHR Network

A key outcome of the activity was the formation of a local Adolescent Girls’ SRHR Network.

The network was established to promote mutual support, regular communication, experience sharing and collective awareness-building. It is intended to provide a platform through which girls can discuss SRHR issues, raise concerns and participate in protecting their health and rights.

Continued coordination among adolescent girls, institutional authorities, AVAS and healthcare professionals will be important to support the network’s activities and sustainability.