To promote health, rights, leadership, and resilience against social challenges, a series of capacity-building sessions were recently conducted for 50 adolescent girls in Sherpur. Organized under the project titled “Improving the Health and Well-being of Marginalized Adolescent Girls through Effective Engagement of All Relevant Stakeholders,” the initiative was jointly implemented by Eminence and SERAC-Bangladesh with support from UNICEF. The participants were split into two separate cohorts of 25 girls to ensure an interactive learning environment.
Adolescence is a formative stage, yet young girls in underserved communities frequently encounter systemic inequality, social stigma, and restricted access to vital care. These workshops aimed to bridge those gaps by equipping girls with crucial life skills and accurate health information. Interactive discussions centered on gender equality, non-discrimination, expanding equal opportunity, and understanding Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Participants also gained critical insights into safe menstrual hygiene management, mental well-being, child marriage prevention, and the risks of Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV (STI/HIV).
Beyond basic health awareness, the sessions focused heavily on agency, personal leadership, and community action. Girls received practical guidance on navigating healthcare and social services, safely overcoming social stigmas, leveraging peer support networks, and building strong communication skills to engage effectively with their communities.
The capacity-building sessions were facilitated by SERAC-Bangladesh team members including Program Manager Sangita Sarkar, Innovation & Youth Specialist Md. Najmul Hasan, SBCC Officer Kakoli Akter, and Network Officer Md. Kamran Miah. Through these combined efforts, SERAC-Bangladesh and its partners continue to foster an environment where young girls can speak up, lead change, and secure a safer, healthier future.