7th Knowledge Fair 2022: Know Better-Be Stronger, Access to Quality Information on SRHR

Government should put more effort into providing health information to address the problems in sexual and reproductive health in the country. This is the conclusion of a gathering of experts during the annual 7th Knowledge Fair 2022, organised by Share-Net Bangladesh in Sheraton Dhaka on 26 September. Emphasizing on Access to Information theme, this year’s Knowledge Fair has been titled “Know Better-Be Stronger: Access to Quality Information on SRHR”. 

The current health policies and operational plans are neglecting the role of health information, according to the expert. According to the declaration which was presented at the end of the day-long event, the government should come up with a masterplan in to provide information on reproductive health and the rights of young people. 

Honourable Director General for the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), Ms. Shahan Ara Banu, ndc; was present as the Chief Guest of the conference. Also, the Honourable Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany in Bangladesh, His Excellency: Mr. Achim Tröster was present as the Guest of Honor at the conference. The overall programme was chaired and moderated by  Managing Director of RedOrange, Mr. Arnob Chakrabarty. 

While announcing the final declaration of the 7th Knowledge Fair, the keynote presenter Dr. Julia Ahmed said, “This Knowledge Fair has indicated that there are gaps, barriers, as well as opportunities, regard to access to quality SRHR information.” “The declaration recommends introducing ‘access to quality information’ as a core indicator of the Universal Access to SRHR in connection to the realization of SDG 3 and 5.”, she continued.  

During the event: the Director General of Family Planning Shahan Ara Banu (ncd) said: “DGFP is working to create awareness among people at all levels to ensure availability of existing services.” She also said that, Disseminating information is far more important and crucial than gathering in the health service sector. 

The German Ambassador Achim Troster expressed his delight to be a part of 7th Knowledge Fair 2022 and said: “Access to Information, specially on SRHR issues has been a burning issue, even to this time.” He said that “I am hopeful that through their honest and sincere effort to figure out SRHR issues, Share-Net Bangladesh will be able to come up with effective and efficient SRHR solutions regardless of class, gender and sexual orientation.”  

During the Knowledge Fair, the annual SRHR Recognition Award has been announced to acknowledge the contribution of individuals, specifically in the field of SRHR. This year’s awards have been given to Ms. Banani Mallick, a talented journalist and researcher of the Daily Observer and to Ms. Laxme Das, a youth leader and social worker from the Dalit community who has been working for stopping child marriage and ensuring youth rights. 

In addition, the First Secretary for the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ms. Veronika Flegar; Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union, Dr. Bernd Spanier were present as Special Guest. Another esteemed special guest of the event, Senior Economist for Human Development Global Practice of The World Bank, Mr. Syed Rashed Al-Zayed were also present at the event and said, “Policy makers should include the clear understanding of incentives to address not only access to quality of information but also access to a quality of life.”

Around 400 experts, academicians, and experienced professionals from various development organizations, along with high-ranking Government officials and foreign delegates have joined this day-long conference. The conference was dedicated to identifying problems and finding solutions by addressing existing provisions and upcoming changes in provisions for making SRHR information accessible to all. Throughout the event, the discussants and research presenters tried to showcase the latest innovations, information and relevant facts by analyzing Access to Information from an international perspective, as well as from urban and rural perspectives. 

Senior Government officials from DGFP- Line Director- Mr. Abdul Latif Mollah, Deputy Director- Ms. Asma Hasan, and Director (Finance) & Line Director (FP-FSD)- Md. Niajur Rahman; along with Ms. Mushfiqua Zaman Satiar- Senior Advisor, SRHR and Gender. Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; participated as Chairperson for various sessions. 

Among the other experts and academicians from home and abroad- Mr. Faruq Faisel, Dr. Ubaidur Rob, Dr. Halida Akhter, Dr Mohammad Bellal Hossain, Dr. Sayed Saikh Imtiaz, Dr. Noor Mohammad, Dr. Sanzida Akhter, AHM Bazlur Rahman, Dr. Muhammad Munir Hussain, Ms. Hosneara Khondker, and Syed Zain Al Mahmood were present at the event. Ms. Anke van der Kwaak, Senior Health Advisor, Trainer and Project Lead, and Ms. Kimberley Meijers: Share-Net International Country Coordinator & Knowledge Management Expert of KIT Royal Tropical Institute were also present to represent Share-Net International. 

Share-Net Bangladesh (SNBD) is one of the seven international hubs of ShareNet International (SNI). Other country hubs are Burkina Faso, Burundi, Colombia, Ethiopia, Jordan and the Netherlands. As the first country hub of Share-Net International, Share-Net Bangladesh (SNBD) has been hosted by RedOrange Media & Communications since 2017.