World Health Organization (WHO) defined adolescence during its Assembly in 2011 as the period between the ages of 10 and 19 years. Adolescents are no longer children, but yet not adults, and this period of changes is a very challenging one both physically and emotionally. Bangladesh has 36 millions of adolescents: more than one-fifth of the total country’s population is between the ages of 10 and 19 years (BBS, 2015).
This large segment presents significant potential for country’s socio economic development. UN’s Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent’s Health 2016- 2030 acknowledges that investments in adolescent health can bring immediate benefits, benefits into future adult life and benefits for the next generation of children.
The National Adolescent Health Strategy 2017-2030 identifies four priority thematic areas of intervention: adolescent sexual and reproductive health, violence against adolescents, adolescent nutrition and mental health of adolescents. In addressing these issues, a large multisector approach is needed with the involvement of Government, NGOs and all the other institutions and organizations working with adolescents. Such an approach is an effort designed at central level but which has to see its ramifications and results in every school, community clinic and eventually in every family. Although the task before us is massive, the results will be significant: the wellbeing of adolescents and a bright future for the country
WHO is committed to supporting the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other stakeholders in the implementation of the Adolescent Health Strategy through technical assistance, evidence based interventions, and the strengthening of the health systems.