To improve the quality of healthcare services, create adolescent-friendly environments, and protect the rights of marginalized young girls, a special capacity-building session for local service providers was recently held in Kurigram. The event was organized under the project titled “Improving the Health and Well-being of Marginalized Adolescent Girls through Effective Engagement of All Relevant Stakeholders,” jointly implemented by Eminence and SERAC-Bangladesh with support from UNICEF. A total of 25 service providers from various local groups attended the interactive program.
Adolescence is a transformative period in a girl’s life, but systemic inequality and social barriers often prevent them from getting the care and guidance they need. Service providers play a vital role in bridging this gap by offering empathetic and non-discriminatory care. During the session, participants explored essential topics including gender equality, non-discrimination, and expanding equal opportunities for young girls. Great emphasis was placed on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), safe menstrual hygiene management, mental well-being, and raising awareness to prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV (STI/HIV).
Furthermore, the training equipped service providers with actionable strategies to safely navigate social stigmas, combat child marriage, and facilitate adolescent-friendly health and social services. The session also underscored the importance of fostering youth leadership and driving community engagement to build a supportive ecosystem for girls.
The sessions were facilitated by SERAC-Bangladesh Project Officer Shapla Akter and Advocacy & Capacity Development Officer Robiul Islam. Highlighting the indispensable role of front-line workers, Md. Selim Miah, Deputy Director (Program) of SERAC-Bangladesh, delivered the closing remarks. SERAC-Bangladesh firmly believes that through continuous capacity building and local collaboration, we can build a safer, healthier, and brighter future for all marginalized adolescent girls.