As part of the Youth Catalyst Initiative of UNFPA Bangladesh, with generous support from Sida, SERAC-Bangladesh successfully organized a capacity-building workshop in Dhaka titled “Strengthening Climate-Resilient Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Family Planning Services.”
The workshop brought together 20 dedicated frontline healthcare providers—including nurses, Sub-Assistant Community Medical Officers (SACMOs), midwives, Family Welfare Visitors (FWVs), and Family Planning Inspectors (FPIs)—from various health facilities across Dhaka district. The primary objective was to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills in integrating climate resilience into SRHR and family planning services, ensuring uninterrupted, high-quality care even during climate-induced disruptions.
Through a series of highly interactive sessions, participants engaged in group exercises and used structured worksheets to analyze how climate challenges affect SRHR and family planning service delivery, with a special focus on vulnerable contexts such as Bandarban. Each group identified critical service gaps and co-created practical, facility-level solutions that can be immediately implemented. The exercise concluded with dynamic group presentations, sparking rich discussions and peer-to-peer learning.
The workshop received valuable reflections and guidance from Md. Abdul Baten, Deputy Director of Family Planning (DDFP), Dhaka; Dr. Abu Jamil Faisel, renowned Public Health Specialist and FP2030 Focal Point; and Dr. Md. Ashiqur Rahman, Medical Officer, DGHS Dhaka. The discussions were skillfully moderated by Md. Salim Miah, SERAC-Bangladesh, who highlighted the urgent need for adaptive, resilient health systems to protect community well-being amid escalating climate risks.
The sessions were expertly facilitated by Dr. Md. Manjur Hossain, Assistant Director, DGFP Dhaka; Ms. Rowsan Ara, National Midwifery Officer, UNFPA; Shahina Yasmin, Program Lead, SERAC-Bangladesh; and Mizanur Rahman Akanda, Advocacy Specialist, SERAC-Bangladesh, with logistical and coordination support from Sumaiya Akter, Volunteer Management Associate, and Md. Omar Faruk Khan, Finance and Admin Coordinator, SERAC-Bangladesh.
This workshop in Dhaka is part of a series of similar capacity-building initiatives in climate-vulnerable districts across Bangladesh, underscoring SERAC-Bangladesh’s ongoing commitment—under the Youth Catalyst Initiative—to empower frontline providers and build climate-resilient SRHR and family planning services that can withstand and adapt to increasing environmental challenges.