SERAC-Bangladesh has innovatively adapted SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) folk songs—Palagaan, Gambhira, Dhamail, Geetonatyo, and Jarigaan—into the regional dialects of Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Chattogram, and Barishal, respectively. This initiative tackles the scarcity of SRH information in these dialects, effectively reaching millions of young people who were previously excluded from such programs. By incorporating locally relevant content into traditional folk songs, SERAC not only introduces a unique approach but also ensures that SRHR knowledge is accessible to underserved communities.
This approach implemented by SERAC-Bangladesh with the funding support from USAID, and in partnership with the Johns Hopkins CCP, the Directorate General of Family Planning bridges a significant knowledge gap and promotes equity by prioritizing the needs of regional underprivileged adolescents, including individuals with special needs, within their local contexts. Furthermore, it builds on the success of previous content developed under the ‘USAID-Shukhi Jibon’ project, scaling up proven strategies to reach a broader audience. By utilizing online platforms, these regionally contextualized SRHR folk songs are now accessible, thereby enhancing their reach and impact.
The Ministry of Health has already praised SERAC’s efforts in composing similar songs in Puthi. This innovation will directly help to the implementation of the national adolescent health strategy by increasing teenage demand for relevant health and SRH services in their communities. Presenting SRHR information to young people through songs in their native language can help them remember the information and encourage stakeholders and policymakers to rethink future programs and strategies. The songs are now made available through the SERAC-Bangladesh website and social media platforms.
The ‘Knowledge SUCCESS Session-3 Pitch Competition’ was a global contest that supports the launch and scale-up of knowledge management (KM) initiatives in selected African and Asian nations. Season 3 of the pitch focused on locally driven knowledge management (KM) innovations for YOUTH-LED and/or YOUTH-FOCUSED family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) programs.
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