In July 2025, SERAC-Bangladesh, under the Improving SRHR in Dhaka Project supported by Ipas-Bangladesh through the HealthBridge Foundation of Canada, conducted a large-scale knowledge dissemination campaign through community awareness sessions in 40 areas of Dhaka. Led by youth leaders, co-leaders, and community volunteers, the sessions focused on key Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) topics, including family planning, contraception, menstrual regulation (MR), post-abortion care (PAC), and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

The campaign engaged 515 participants, including 454 women and 61 men. Among them, 115 were aged 19 years (98 women, 17 men) and 400 were aged 20 or older (356 women, 44 men). The group included 399 general community members, 113 volunteers, and 3 general practitioners, ensuring a mix of service providers and community voices.

Sessions used interactive discussions and the Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) method to challenge harmful norms, reduce stigma, and promote positive attitudes toward SRHR. Participants learned about modern contraception, safe MR services, and community-level strategies to address GBV. The approach encouraged open dialogue in communities where such topics are often silenced by cultural taboos.

A key learning was the effectiveness of peer-to-peer engagement. Information shared by local youth leaders and trained volunteers was more readily accepted, fostering trust and encouraging participation. The campaign also showed that repeated, localized outreach strengthens community ownership of SRHR issues and supports long-term behavioral change.

However, challenges remain. Stigma continues to limit open discussion and service uptake, particularly for contraception and MR. Misinformation persists, leading to underuse or incorrect use of available methods. Access to safe MR and PAC services is inconsistent, with travel distance, cost, and privacy concerns acting as barriers. GBV remains a critical but underreported issue due to fear of social backlash and limited trust in formal support systems.

The July 2025 knowledge dissemination sessions proved that CAG-led outreach is a powerful tool for community empowerment. By equipping local leaders with accurate SRHR knowledge and facilitation skills, these initiatives can break cycles of misinformation, improve service access, and foster a culture of health rights awareness, helping to build a healthier and more informed future for Dhaka’s communities.