Committing Accessible Family Planning for Youth: SERAC Bangladesh Held the 9th National Youth Conference on Family Planning 2024
Over 500 youth advocates, health experts, and policymakers gathered in Dhaka for the 9th National Youth Conference on Family Planning 2024, hosted by SERAC-Bangladesh. The two-day event, beginning on October 29, focused on empowering Bangladeshi youth with the tools and knowledge needed for accessible family planning, reproductive health education, nutrition, life skills, climate justice, and gender equality. This theme underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to adolescent health that equips young people with crucial life skills to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures.
Md Saifullahil Azam, Director General of the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), opened the conference by urging youth to play an active role in achieving Bangladesh’s FP2030 commitments and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Azam emphasised the unique position of young people to lead in reproductive health rights. He noted that “youth involvement is crucial to achieving sustainable progress in family planning and health.” UNFPA’s Dr. Iliza Azyei supported this message, highlighting the “three zeros” goal: zero unmet family planning needs, zero preventable maternal deaths, and zero gender-based violence.
International voices further reinforced the importance of collaborative action in adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Patricia Mengech from USAID stressed that true success in adolescent health requires the combined efforts of all stakeholders. Canada’s Edward Cabrera echoed this, emphasising that access to family planning services is fundamental to a healthier, more equitable future for all.
The conference saw innovative contributions from youth participants who presented community-driven solutions to challenges in family planning and reproductive health. Md Nazmul Hasan, a youth leader, showcased the Volunteer Peer Leader (VPL) model under USAID’s Shukhi Jibon project, which empowers young people to advocate for their own family planning needs through a peer-led approach. This model, he explained, has proven effective in encouraging adolescents to take charge of their reproductive health decisions.
An interactive exhibit zone added a unique dimension to the event, engaging participants with health education activities such as a reproductive health-themed Ludo game and puppet shows. Organisations like Ipas, Share-Net Bangladesh, Jhpiego, and Marie Stopes Bangladesh contributed to making the learning experience accessible and enjoyable.
Discussions at the conference covered various pressing issues. A Pathfinder International session focused on climate resilience and how youth can address sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) during natural disasters. Marie Stopes Bangladesh emphasised inclusivity by advocating for family planning access for adolescents with disabilities. In a session led by FP2030 and Dr. Muhammad Munir Hossain of UNFPA, the importance of life skills education was highlighted as key to enabling youth to make informed health decisions.
Youth advocates like Iftikhar Ahmed Sakib from the Bangladesh Medical Students Society and BYHAN’s Songita Sarker called for policy reforms that eliminate barriers to reproductive health access for young people, urging fellow attendees to join the cause.
An added feature this year included a session on adolescent nutrition, led by NutriTeens and International Adolescent Health Week (IAHW2024). Experts emphasised how proper nutrition supports mental and physical health, laying a foundation for a healthier generation.
The conference wrapped up with a scientific poster presentation on youth-led SRHR innovations, highlighting solutions developed by young advocates. Dr. Abu Jamil Faisel received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Tasnia Ahmed, Md Masum Billah, and UNFPA Bangladesh were recognised for their contributions to youth health.
As the event concluded, participants left with a renewed commitment to advancing accessible family planning and reproductive health for Bangladesh’s youth. The discussions and collaborations from the conference are expected to inspire policy changes, strengthen partnerships, and empower young advocates to drive an inclusive, equitable future in family planning and health.
Source: The Daily Star
Photo Credit: SERAC Bangladesh