On 17–18 June 2026, to strengthen Adolescent-Friendly Health Services (AFHS), improve the quality of adolescent health and family planning services and enhance the capacity of service providers to respond to the specific needs of adolescents, SERAC-Bangladesh organized a two-day orientation and capacity-building workshop for service providers under the “Space to Lead” project. The project is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and technically supported by Plan International Bangladesh. The workshop was held at RDF Tower, Barguna Sadar.
A total of 32 service providers from Barguna Sadar and Patharghata upazilas participated in the workshop. The training brought together relevant health and family planning service providers to strengthen their knowledge, skills and understanding of adolescent-friendly approaches and improve the quality and accessibility of services for adolescents at the community level.
The main objective of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of service providers on adolescent health, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), adolescent-friendly health services, family planning, mental health, gender and gender-based violence, safeguarding, communication and counselling. The workshop also aimed to promote a more adolescent-responsive approach to service delivery, where adolescents can access services in a safe, respectful, confidential and supportive environment.
At the beginning of the workshop, Md. Shafiullah Lemon, Project Coordinator, SERAC-Bangladesh, introduced the “Space to Lead” project, highlighting its goals, objectives, key activities, and efforts to strengthen adolescents’ access to health and rights information and adolescent-friendly health services. He also facilitated a session on capacity and potential analysis, focusing on participants’ strengths, challenges, and areas for further development.
Rabiul Islam, Advocacy and Capacity Development Officer, SERAC-Bangladesh, conducted a session on gender and gender-based violence. The session focused on gender, the impact of gender inequality, ways to address discrimination, different forms of violence against adolescents, the causes of violence, and approaches to prevention and response.
Following this, Md. Niyaz Makhdoom, Upazila Family Planning Officer, Barguna Sadar, facilitated a session on the global and Bangladesh context of adolescent health and the initiatives undertaken to address adolescent health needs. He discussed the current adolescent health situation and highlighted the importance of strengthening health systems and services at the union level to better respond to the needs of adolescents.
Dr. Prince Kumar Roy, Medical Officer and Acting Upazila Family Planning Officer, Patharghata, conducted a session on adolescent-friendly health services and their management process. He discussed the key features and quality standards of adolescent-friendly services, along with the essential responsibilities of service providers in ensuring appropriate and adolescent-responsive care.
A session on adolescent motherhood and adolescent family planning was facilitated by Mahmudul Haq Azad, Deputy Director, Family Planning, Barguna. The session covered the risks associated with adolescent motherhood, potential health risks of early pregnancy, measures for preventing adolescent pregnancy and the importance of family planning services for adolescents. The discussion also emphasized the responsibility of service providers to ensure respectful and confidential services based on the needs of adolescents.
Md. Saiyedur Rahman, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, Patharghata, facilitated a session on adolescence, physical and mental changes, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), including menstrual health, wet dreams, and adolescent nutrition. The session emphasized providing accurate, age-appropriate information and responding sensitively to adolescents’ questions and concerns.
Md. Emran Hossain, Deputy Director, SERAC-Bangladesh, facilitated a session on safeguarding. He highlighted the importance of creating a safe environment when working with adolescents, identifying potential risks, and ensuring protection, accountability, and appropriate safeguarding practices during service delivery.
Considering the importance of mental well-being during adolescence, Dr. Anurav Chowdhury, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, Barguna Sadar, facilitated a session on adolescent mental health. The session explored different aspects of adolescent mental health, common challenges, possible causes and ways to provide appropriate support and link adolescents with relevant services when needed.
An important session of the workshop focused on communication and counselling with adolescents, facilitated by Dr. Mohammad Abul Fattah, Civil Surgeon, Barguna. He discussed the purpose and methods of effective communication and counselling with adolescents, with particular emphasis on active listening, respecting adolescents’ views, maintaining confidentiality, and providing support in a non-judgmental and respectful manner.
Throughout the workshop, participants actively engaged in discussions, shared field-level experiences, and raised questions on the challenges and opportunities in adolescent health service delivery. The sessions emphasized confidentiality, respectful communication, accurate information, supportive service environments, and appropriate referral linkages. Through the two-day capacity-building workshop, 32 service providers strengthened their knowledge and skills on adolescent health, SRHR, family planning, adolescent-friendly health services, mental health, gender and gender-based violence, safeguarding, communication, and counselling, further enhancing their capacity to provide safe, confidential, respectful, and quality services to adolescents.
Under the “Space to Lead” Project, SERAC-Bangladesh will continue working with government health and family planning institutions and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of service providers and improve access to quality adolescent-friendly health services for adolescents and young people in Barguna.