Empowering Adolescents in Bangladesh through Life Skills

State the purpose of the work to be presented:

The Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP), with technical assistance from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Communication Programs (JHU/CCP) developed the “Know Yourself” communication program to sensitize the adolescents and predispose them to delay sexual debut, marriage and pregnancy; and to create an enabling environment for them to act on the knowledge and skills gained through the program.

Explain the data or information used:

The comprehensive “Know Yourself” program includes 4 information booklets on puberty, reproductive & family planning and HIV/AIDS issues; conduct life skill sessions using manuals and interactive videos; newsletters; comic books; and television and radio magazines series. All the materials and activities are interlinked and mutually reinforcing.

Described the method used:

Thirteen local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in both urban and rural settings were involved to implement the “Know Yourself” communication program. The NGOs conducted life skills workshops, distributed booklets among the adolescents, a series of sensitization workshops with the community leaders, teachers and parents/guardians of the adolescents.

Present major result:

Evaluation reveals significant improvements in reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors across a range of issues among the adolescents in the intervention areas. Adolescents were empowered and their self-esteem and critical thinking skills to solve the problems improved.

State recommendations or policy implications:

Given the success and achievements, further investment is worth institutionalizing the program in secondary and higher secondary levels education.