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Today, Pathfinder is ramping up the intervention, in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, to reach newlywed couples in 10 different upazilas (regions) with diverse demographics. And the intervention has made a huge buzz in those communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the day of their wedding, newlywed couples receive a surprise box from a local representative, in the presence of a community health worker known to the couple, or at other times, a local religious leader or government official. The box is filled with information for the newlyweds. It comes with a congratulatory letter from the DGFP, a booklet on reproductive wellbeing, leaflets on oral contraception and condoms, samples for the couple to use, a wall clock with the national family planning call center number, and reminder stickers to promote the call center number so couples can seek information and guidance from local health workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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But the box doesn\u2019t work on its own. It\u2019s part of a much larger effort from USAID\u2019s Shukhi Jibon Project to meet young people where they are, collaborating with local leaders, trusted community members, family members, and religious leaders, all who are involved to ensure the message is taken seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The work takes time and effort to create buy-in. But Pathfinder has a 360 degree approach to getting it. \u201cWhen we looked at the data from the pilot program,\u201d says Tania Jahan, Shukhi Jibon\u2019s Community Engagement & Social and Behavior Change Manager, \u201cwe found that there was some resistance from local imams and marriage registrars. We saw this, so immediately started our coordination efforts with local Islamic foundations with permission from the National Level Authority of the Islamic Foundation, under the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Bangladesh. Pathfinder worked with the local imams, community decision makers, and health workers, creating communications channels between the service providers and the local community leaders, to create more knowledge around sexual and reproductive health. The more these two groups coordinate, the easier our work is. Our work is to develop an environment that enables this discussion, so community members are more likely to participate actively in the intervention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FIRST SIX MONTHS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And, for imams like Mohammad Abul Bashar, it seems to be working. \u201cIt is a tremendous initiative to provide an information box to our newlywed couples,\u201d says Abul, an imam at the Lunapara Jame Mosque, in Gouripur, Mymensing. \u201cI advised the new couple to read the information booklet, as well as to communicate with the local Family Welfare Assistant (FWA) to develop a better understanding of family planning methods. I am committed to discussing sexual and reproductive health at my mosque, and the importance of family planning for adolescents to prevent early pregnancy, maternal death\u2026 and, to enrich happy families.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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