Why is this work important?
The Madrasah system is centred on Islamic studies and offers educational opportunities to a significant portion of poor and marginalised communities in Bangladesh.
There are 2 types of Madrasah.
Alia Madrasahs are regulated by the Government established Madrasah Education Board and provide religious teachings as part of a standard curriculum.
In contrast, the orthodox Qaumi Madrasah are private and their primary activity is the recitation and study of the Holy Quran.
There are high levels of political and religious sensitivity to issues surrounding adolescent sexuality and reproductive health.
This leaves limited avenues for Madrasah students to talk about their anxieties, questions and feelings on sexuality and sexual health. It also restricts their access to information, counselling and clinical services.
‘I read out of curiosity about female and male body structures… I found scientific explanation about how a baby is born… but I was looking for information regarding when a boy should have sex and how should one have safe sex… but I didn’t find any information’ the words of a young, male student from an Alia Madrasah, ‘Islam and Masculinities in Bangladesh – a study of sexual and reproductive health issues in Madrasah’.
What is innovative about this project?
The project is addressing issues of adolescent sexuality in the light of Quranic and Islamic teachings.
This pilot approach, unique in Bangladesh, is advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of 10 Madrasah communities.
• Sexual and reproductive health information and youth friendly health services are being provided to Madrasah students, teachers, Imams and communities.
• Madrasah authorities are gaining an understanding of, and sense of responsibility for, the sexual and reproductive rights of their students.
• Despite the strict hierarchy of the Madrasah environment, students and teachers are learning to work together to plan and implement project activities.
• Resources are being developed to address sexual and reproductive health and rights in Islamic teaching.
How is the strategy working?
The key approach of the project is to address the broad health needs of students, teachers, Madrasah authorities and communities.
The more sensitive issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights are then gradually introduced once a positive relationship has been established between the project team and the Madrasah.
Peer educators provide accurate information to young people in the Madrasah and the communities. Issues such as puberty and responsible adolescents/young life, HIV prevention, gender based violence and the rights of young people are included in educational sessions.
The students have responded enthusiastically to the topics. They are keen to discuss these issues and their increased confidence is reflected in their willingness to approach health service providers and teachers with their problems.
Each Madrasah has been provided with a first aid kit that includes sanitary products for young women and condoms for use by the teachers. Health services are also provided by FPAB in the community including contraception, diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, ante natal care and infertility management.
Outstanding achievements
The context of working on sexual and reproductive health in the Madrasah environment is so challenging that simply securing agreement to partner with each one is a significant achievement.
Particularly with the more conservative Qaumi Madrasah, project staff are showing creativity and determination at each stage of implementation to keep Madrasah authorities on board.
In one case a Madrasah principle lost his job because of his involvement with the project.
Another Madrasah refused to work with the project for 18 months after sensitive questions on sexual and reproductive health were put to the students during the project’s baseline survey.
The project team have learnt that they must continually respect Islamic values in every project activity from managing the interaction of men and women during training workshops to developing information materials that refer to Islamic texts.
FPAB is also building support for their work with bodies such as the Islamic Foundation, Imam Association and the Madrasah Education Board to demonstrate that the objectives and activities of the project are not incompatible with Islam.
What next?
In its final year, FPAB is exploring how the achievements from the project can be replicated in other Madrasahs, where more than 5 million students are studying.
They also aim to sustain these achievements by working with regional and national level authorities, for example to advocate for greater inclusion of sexual and reproductive health issues into Madrasah curricula.
Want to find out more?
Contact:
innovation@ippf.org
The IPPF South Asia Regional Office
The Family Planning Association of Bangladesh