National Youth Conference on Population and Development: BMSS Leads Youth Dialogue on SRHR in Bangladesh
In a bold move to place youth at the center of Bangladesh’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) discourse, the Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society (BMSS) has organised the National Youth Conference on Population and Development. Held on May 9–10 at the Liberation War Museum, the two-day event brought together 300 medical students from around 60 medical colleges, with representation from all 64 districts.
Under the theme “Youth for SRHR, BMSS for SRHR,” the conference created a critical platform for young medical minds to engage with pressing issues such as maternal and child health, menstrual hygiene, family planning, menstrual regulation (MR), post-abortion care (PAC), child marriage, and gender-based violence (GBV).
“Youth are not just future leaders, they are today’s stakeholders. Ignoring their SRHR needs means failing the future of healthcare in Bangladesh,” said Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Sakib, President of BMSS and Convener of the event.
The event was supported by Ipas Bangladesh, with distinguished guests like Prof. Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter, Prof. Dr. Sayeba Akhter, and Dr. Sayed Rubayet adding weight to the conference’s credibility and purpose.
Speakers stressed that lack of awareness and access to accurate SRHR information among adolescents and young adults contributes to preventable health issues, unsafe abortions, early marriages, and gender discrimination.
“SRHR education isn’t an option, it’s an obligation. It ensures young people live with dignity, make informed choices, and contribute meaningfully to society,” emphasised keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Sayeba Akhter.
In committee sessions, youth delegates discussed health inequalities, challenged retrogressive social norms, and proposed innovative solutions for better SRHR access. Themes ranged from HIV/AIDS prevention to maternal mortality reduction, placing youth perspectives front and center.
Dr. Farhana Huq, Country Coordinator of Share-Net Bangladesh, participated as an expert panellist in the Thematic Committee on Family Planning, MR and PAC during the conference. In her speech, Dr. Huq said,
“While many of us are doing tremendous work on maternal health, there’s still a visible gap in integrating essential areas like family planning, menstrual regulation, and safe abortion. We need a well-coordinated national strategy that connects policy with practice — ensuring these vital SRHR services reach every corner, from high-level decision-makers to field service providers.”
One of the conference’s major milestones was the presentation of Youth Declaration on SRHR, a powerful collective voice calling for inclusive policies, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), and greater investment in adolescent health.
“This declaration is more than paper—it’s a movement,” said one participant. “We’re breaking taboos, speaking truth, and demanding action.”
The second day featured skill-building workshops, including sessions on clinical management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), endometriosis, safe abortion practices, and self-protection techniques against GBV.
The event ended with an award ceremony and a commitment to carry forward the momentum. Dr. Ashrafi Ahmed, DG of the Directorate General of Family Planning, praised the youth-led initiative, highlighting its potential to shape Bangladesh’s SRHR landscape for the better.
By spotlighting the critical need for SRHR education and access among youth, the BMSS has shown that medical students are not just future doctors—they are current advocates for health, rights, and dignity.
Source: Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society (BMSS)
Picture Credit: Facebook/Ipas Bangladesh
