Beyond Biology: How the ‘Shahana’ Cartoon is Rewriting Life Lessons for Bangladesh’s Youth

‘The series has significantly normalised puberty among our friend circle. The process seems very natural to us now, and we even talk to our families about it,’ said one of the students in the assessment interview of Shahana Cartoon by UNFPA Bangladesh. The animated edutainment series Shahana has been a fearless, revolutionary force in Bangladesh for almost 10 years, addressing topics that are frequently taboo. UNFPA Bangladesh created Shahana with input from the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) and under the direction of the Department of Secondary and Higher Education. One of the key objectives is to give teenagers the knowledge and skills they need to make wise decisions.

Through relatable characters and stories, the series provides age-appropriate, values-based lessons encompassing critical life skills. These include sexual and reproductive health, the crucial concepts of consent and non-consent, child marriage prevention, cyber safety, emotional well-being, and conflict resolution. This comprehensive approach directly supports the Government of Bangladesh’s Adolescent Health Strategy, aiming to empower the youth.

There have been three major stages in the series’ development. Launched under the Generation Breakthrough project, Series I (2015) highlighted fundamental themes such as harassment, gender discrimination, and puberty. With the release of Series II in 2018, which provided more in-depth education on subjects like diversity, the influence grew. Series III then shifted to contemporary digital subjects, including cyber security and dispute resolution, which reflected the changing requirements of teenagers both online and off. Crucially, Shahana was screened in 33,000 government secondary schools and madrasas when the Ministry of Education included it in the curriculum as a teaching tool. With over 51% of women aged 20 to 24 getting married before turning 18, Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world. This widespread adoption normalises important discussions at scale.

Shahana has had a significant influence on the ground, reaffirming the age-old maxim that “prevention is better than cure.” Stigma and cultural norms have transitioned through generations in the SRHR landscape of Bangladesh, and Shahana is a brilliant example of the fight against these stigmas. Students think that the cartoon’s remarkably realistic depiction of menstruation and the evil of child marriage, in particular, has not only “normalised” puberty but also eliminated the stigma entirely. There is a noticeable change in the culture; teachers have reported that students talk about these once-forbidden topics with much less “shyness and embarrassment.” Parents outside of the classroom have welcomed the cartoon, thus bridging a crucial generational divide. “Shahana taught us that you can’t repair a hurt that you can’t see,” one educator said. It made the discussion more visible. 

The series models respectful dialogue, aligning perfectly with Comprehensive Sexuality Education goals to teach fundamental values, safety, and respect, proving that the conversation extends far beyond mere “biology.” This entire effort stands as a testament to the transformative power of context-specific edutainment backed by critical government recognition.

Sources:

Shahana: An Edutainment Cartoon Promoting Life Skills for Bangladesh’s Adolescents
Feature video on Shahana
Sahana Cartoon series
Bangladesh National Adolescence Health Strategy