Development of the National Adolescent Strategy (NAS) in Bangladesh

Over one fifth or 22% (over 32 million) of the total population of Bangladesh, a densely populated country in South Asia currently falls under the 10 to 19 years age group (UNICEF (2017), an age group defined as adolescence by WHO, (2014). Despite notable progress in poverty reduction and driving social changes (including achieving gender parity in educational enrolment, meeting many of the MDG targets particularly for health care), Bangladesh remains a country thriving to eliminate poverty. And one-third of these children continue to live below the international poverty line. Due to various reasons children and adolescents often have limited opportunities to express themselves. Expression of independent opinions and participation in decision-making are often impeded due to traditional views about children and because parents control them to work or study hard. The main purpose of the task is to develop a comprehensive National Adolescence Strategy for Bangladesh. The strategy will need to articulate priorities and plans in context of adolescent-sensitive responses for emergency situations, disability, ethnicity, gender, reproductive health, nutrition HIV/AIDS and enhance tools for generating evidences so as to support the country progress achieving its international and national commitment in regard to the 7th Five Year Plan (2016-2020) & SDG (2105-2030) etc. This NAS is a high-level macro strategy. By working together to make this strategy a reality for adolescents we are letting them know that they matter, that they are important to us now and for our future. A mixed method approach consisting of both quantitative and qualitative methods & tools is applied. This involves key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGD) with adolescents, community leaders, private sector employers, and government and non-government stakeholders, at national and sub-national level and survey with parents/caregivers etc.

Study Team

Dr. Nazneen Ahmed, Senior Research Fellow, BIDS

Dr. S M Zahedul Islam Chowdhury, Research Fellow, BIDS.