Press Release

Dept. of Public Health organized seminar on Reproductive Health

The Department of Public Health, State University of Bangladesh (SUB) has organized a seminar on Reproductive Health (RH) on Friday, 28th March, 2008 at 10.30 A.M. in Room 305. Ms Tahera Ahmed, Assistant Country Representative, UNFPA was the resource person. Dr. Nawzia Yasmin, Acting Head of the Department of Public Health and Academic Program Director of MPH Programme in SUB introduced the Speaker. Dr Suman Lahiry and Ms Tamjida Ahmed were present as academic faculty.

Ms Tahera Ahmed started with ICPD Definition of RH, components of RH and implications of reproductive health- programs in Bangladesh. The country scenario of safe motherhood, family planning, connections with sexual health, reproductive tract infections and HIV/AIDS were vividly discussed. She stated the fact that globally 500,000 mothers die annually due to pregnancy related causes and in Bangladesh about 12,000 mothers die annually. It was highlighted that women are especially vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Ms Tahera Ahmed detailed the challenges, populations at risk, and the ways ahead.

Defining gender and sex, she elaborated the gender related violence (GBV), causes and forms of GBV. Zero tolerance to GBV was emphasized. In conclusion, the human values, status of women in Bangladesh, reproductive rights, upholding women’s values as well as possible remedies were presented.

A lively discussion also commemorated the Seminar. Students were inquisitive regarding different aspects of reproductive health, contraception, and strategies to prevention and leadership issues.

Dr Nawzia Yasmin presented the resource person with a Certificate and a SUB Crest of appreciation.