Introduction

Bangladesh has an adolescent and youth population of approximately 52 million, constituting nearly 1/3rd of the country's total population. This significant percentage, however, will not remain unchanged for very long and it is projected that by 2050, only 10-19% of Bangladesh's population will be within this age group. (UNFPA 2014).Although the health and well-being of this group is critical to the country’s future, issues surrounding Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) remain a cultural taboo, especially for adolescents and young unmarried people. Initiatives to address adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) in Bangladesh have been implemented by both the Government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) project is one of such interventions by IPPF (International Planned Parenthood Federation) implemented by BAPSA.

Thisone year initiative with IPPF started inSeptember, 2018 (Later 3 months no cost extension was added to it). This CSE project in Jaipurhat has been able to focus successfully on improving SRHR knowledge and access to services by providing Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in educational institutions (schools and madrasas) and in the community as well. The project had been working within the community to create a more supportive environment in which young people can exercise their SRH rights.

Project Overview

Overall Objective:

The overall objective is “To enhance the capacity of the organization and increase accessibility to CSE and SRHR services and information for adolescents and young population of the project areas and creating enabling environment to contribute to the SDG 3 & 5”.

Specific Objectives:

To conduct CSE sessions informal and non-formal settings in the project area

To provide SRHR and CSE training to the school, College and Madrasha teachers to enable them to facilitate CSE sessions in selected educational institutions in the project area

To establish a Youth Friendly Service Centers at the district HQ levels and corners at the Upazila (Sub-district) levels for providing CSE and SRHR information and services

 Target Groups:

The primary target of the project was the Adolescents and Young people in schools/ Madrasa/ Colleges and in the community aged between 10 to 24 years, living in semi urban and rural areas.

Secondary target groups of the project were  the parents, teachers, School Management Committee (SMC), different community leaders, health-workers and government officials at health and education departments.