Innovating SRHR Solutions for the Missed Outs: AdSEARCH by icddr,b Shared Groundbreaking Study Findings at National Seminar

In a country where nearly 36 million adolescents navigate life amid taboos and limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, a powerful seminar held at icddr,b’s Sasakawa Auditorium on June 1, 2025, shed light on fresh, evidence-based solutions.

Titled “Journey to Evidence: Series Dissemination of AdSEARCH Innovation – Round 1,” the event unveiled four adolescent-focused innovation studies under the Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AdSEARCH) project, supported by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The studies spotlighted gaps in menstrual hygiene management (MHM), digital SRHR learning, orphan adolescent protection, and workplace-based menstruation solutions.

“Opportunities to work on adolescent SRHR remain limited, especially for orphaned girls. That’s why any initiative like HopeBox is genuinely commendable,” said Syed Rubayet, Country Director of IPAS Bangladesh.

HopeBox: Safeguarding Orphan Adolescents

Bangladesh houses 500,000 orphans, yet only 17,500 are accommodated in government orphanages. A shocking vulnerability to sexual abuse and coercion exists within these spaces. The HopeBox toolkit—illustrated books, puzzles, and placards—was piloted in three orphanages and led to a 40–50% jump in knowledge about contraception and menstrual hygiene.
The study strongly recommends scaling up HopeBox across all orphanages to safeguard sexual rights and empower institutionalised girls.

Mukhorito: A Digital App That Talks SRHR

With only 5% of adolescents getting SRHR education from schools, Mukhorito, a gamified mobile app, filled the silence. Piloted in Feni schools, the app improved knowledge scores by 16%, building confidence among teens.

“It made me confident. I could talk about changes in my body,” shared a 15-year-old user.

The app also helped reduce the social stigma around reproductive health and empowered students to talk more openly with peers, teachers, and even parents.

Menstruation in Sports: Unseen Struggles of Female Athletes

At Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP), adolescent athletes often juggle national pride with personal pain. 65% of them reported being restricted from physical activity during menstruation, and only 8% had access to proper toilet facilities. The study called for menstrual education in sports curricula, coach sensitisation, and better MHM infrastructure.

“If we remove barriers for our female athletes, their journey will be easier,” said Professor Anupam Hossain, a sports consultant.

Menstrual Cups at RMG: A Workplace Game-changer

In Dhaka’s garment sector—home to 4 million workers, 60% women—access to private sanitation is limited. A pilot introducing menstrual cups among 85 RMG workers showed cost savings, workplace comfort, and long-term feasibility.

“Ignoring adolescent health today means risking the future of maternal health,” warned Professor Sayeba Akhter from BMRC.

Policy, Integration & Collaboration

Experts from DGHS, DGFP, DSS, and NGOs echoed the need for integrated, youth-responsive SRHR strategies. Discussions urged multi-sectoral collaboration to address child marriage, gender-based violence, and climate-linked health vulnerabilities in adolescent SRHR.

“We need long-term, multi-agency strategies to ensure sexual and reproductive rights for every adolescent,” said Dr. Md. Shamsul Hoque of DGHS.

In addition, experts stressed the growing importance of utilising SRHR knowledge trust funds, particularly in today’s context. Dr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam, Senior Programme Officer at the Swedish Embassy in Bangladesh, remarked,

“Knowledge platforms like Share-Net Bangladesh are becoming more essential for gathering, managing, and sharing accurate SRHR information and resources to support informed decision-making and promote health and rights for all.”

The national seminar underscored the urgent need for inclusive, evidence-based approaches to reach populations often left behind in SRHR initiatives. With groundbreaking findings from AdSEARCH and collaborative momentum from key stakeholders, Bangladesh now stands at a critical juncture to reimagine and implement innovative SRHR solutions that leave no one behind.

Source: icddr,b 
Photo Credit: Facebook/AdSEARCH by icddr,b