Health sessions in schools by government staff

"We are working for the adolescent, we're listening to their physical and psychological issues carefully and trying to solve their problems within our reach. We are not only solving their problems but also discussing adolescent health and nutrition, physical and psychological changes in this period of life and many other things with them", said Anowara Begum, a Family Welfare Officer in Motukpur Union Family Welfare Center under Domar upazila of Nilphamari.

"It was never easy, but we are now better equipped as a big team of JANO is supporting the intervention", added Anowara.

According to the Government policy, every Sub-Assistant Community Medical Officer (SACMO) should conduct four counselling sessions in their job location on adolescent health and nutrition to create a better environment for adolescents. This is where JANO came forward to assist the government to ensure the sessions for school adolescents.

JANO is a consortium project implemented by Care Bangladesh, Plan International Bangladesh, and Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO). The project is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation.

JANO also organized training for Upazila Family Planning Officers (UFPO) and Sub-Assistant Community Medical Officer (SACMO). Now, these trained SACMOs are taking four sessions in various schools in their areas every month. In these sessions, adolescent boys and girls learn about food and nutrition, adolescent health, the menstrual cycle, health problem during the adolescent period, violence against women and children, sexual harassment, child marriage, and reproductive health.

According to localities, these health campaigns are creating awareness among adolescent boys and girls as well as their parents. Adolescent boys and girls can easily get to know about crucial issues now and share them with others.

Md Hasanur Rahman Shohag, father of a school-going child from Gangachara, Rangpur expressed his feelings about the change in his child's behaviour after having these sessions.

He said, "I can mark a clear change in my child's behaviour. She has become more careful about her health nowadays."

"We, parents, also talk to them freely about their health and hygiene now. It is excellent", he added.

The former Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Nilphamari's Domar Upazila Ramiz Alam, said, "This initiative of JANO is supporting the Government initiative to work against social taboo and reducing adolescent health risks because of sharing information about health and nutrition, menstruation, reproductive health and importance of cleanliness and hygiene through these health campaigns assisted by the project."