Bangladesh has an adolescent population of approximately 36 million: more than one-fifth of the total population of Bangladesh is those between the ages of 10 and 19 years (BBS, 2015). The sexual and reproductive health (SRH) status of adolescents in Bangladesh, both those who are unmarried and married, remains an area of concern for the country. Low levels of knowledge on SRH, STI/HIV and family planning (FP), high prevalence of child marriage, correspondingly high levels of adolescent fertility and limited access to quality and age appropriate information and services are challenges.
The objective of this Fixed Award Agreement initiative under USAID Shukhi Jibon project is to include 15- 24 years aged 40 Volunteer Peer Leaders (VPLs) (1 male and 1 female in each center) in selected 20 AFHCs under DGFP in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Mymensingh and Netrokona to ensure friendly environment and improve quality of services in the AFHCs on the basis of adolescents’ demands. VPLs will encourage the adolescents to receive information about sexual and reproductive health services and family planning through community and school based outreach campaigns in the surrounding areas and schools of the selected AFHCs. Also, they will collect and document feedback and recommendations from the service receipts at the AFHCs on improving the quality of services of the centers.
