Wreetu Health and Well-being Foundation and Youth Policy Forum (YPF) jointly hosted a research dissemination programme in Dhaka on Tuesday, calling for greater involvement of boys and men in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
The event, titled “Voices in Transition: Bridging Adolescent and Youth Aspirations”, brought together government representatives, civil society organisations, youth advocates and international NGOs to discuss the importance of puberty education for boys and the advancement of gender equality through male participation in reproductive health.
Over the past two years, the two organisations have worked under the Right Here Right Now (RHRN) project to study boys’ knowledge, perceptions and practices on puberty and SRHR in Bangladesh. Their findings, presented at the event, revealed that boys remain significantly underrepresented in reproductive health initiatives, with harmful gender norms persisting due to a lack of targeted interventions.
Wreetu presented a quasi-experimental study titled “Effect of Puberty Education Sessions on Adolescent Boys' Perceptions, Knowledge, and Practices regarding Puberty in Bangladesh.” The findings highlighted the positive impact of structured puberty education on boys’ confidence, awareness and ability to challenge stereotypes.
YPF contributed insights on youth-led policy advocacy, including resolutions from the 2024 Youth Parliament, which stressed the need for inclusive reproductive health strategies involving men and boys.
A panel discussion featuring experts and practitioners further examined barriers to male engagement in SRHR, as well as culturally sensitive approaches for sustainable change.
The programme also saw the launch of the magazine “Mind, Voice, and Justice” and a poster exhibition documenting the two-year journey of the initiative. These platforms showcased lived experiences of adolescent boys and young men, amplifying their role in shaping their own health journey.
Organisers said the event is expected to foster stronger collaboration between youth groups, CSOs, government bodies and international partners. They stressed that amplifying boys’ voices in SRHR is essential not only for their wellbeing but also for building a more equitable society.
“Engaging men and boys in reproductive health is not optional — it is central to achieving sustainable gender equality,” said one of the speakers during the closing session.
