News Flash
DHAKA, Nov 14, 2025 (BSS)- Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is an important issue that is related to human rights, health promotion and social justice. It discusses various aspects related to human sexual and reproductive health. The use of birth control methods, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and ensuring the rights to sexual education are among them.
As a result of the government's public welfare initiatives, reproductive health awareness among women in Bangladesh is increasing day by day.Bangladesh has achieved considerable success in women's and children's health.However, there is scope for more work in some areas.
Concerned persons said that many women in rural as well as urban areas are now regularly visiting health centers, using family planning methods and following menstrual hygiene rules.
According to experts, this change has come about as a result of government and private initiatives to expand healthcare, social media campaigns and increasing women's education. Whereas, earlier there was no open discussion about reproductive health, now people from the younger generation to housewives are giving importance to the issue.
According to the Directorate General of Family Planning, the rate of contraceptive use among rural women has increased significantly. The trend of using sanitary napkins for menstrual health care, especially among adolescents and young women, has also increased significantly. However, many women still cannot avail necessary reproductive health services due to poverty, superstitions and lack of adequate healthcare services, said the concerned officials.
Reproductive health expert Dr. Nazneen Ahmed said, currently, women in different regions of Bangladesh are becoming aware of their rights.As a result, eye-catching success has come in all fields which have also touched the health and reproductive sectors.
She said the initiatives taken by the government have been successful mainly due to the awareness of the citizens. The role of some women is especially commendable because they have learned to keep pace with the times instead of treating them in traditional ways, she said.
Sources said that despite being a densely populated country, Bangladesh has made significant progress in population control.Bangladesh’s total fertility rate (TFR) is now 2.00 compared to five decades ago when it was over 5.
Bangladesh is reaping the benefit of low birth rate, which has led to improve reproductive health.
It is known that the main problems of the country after independence were population and poverty. Bangladesh has shown success in both these areas. The success in population control has come mainly because of the ability to reduce the total fertility rate (TFR). As a result, women are getting more opportunities for education and are able to spend more time for earning.
Public health experts said that TFR is the number of children a woman of reproductive age will have in her lifetime (usually between the ages of 15 and 49). One of the goals of countries that want to control or reduce population is to reduce TFR. Bangladesh has been able to reduce TFR continuously since independence.
According to World Bank statistics, in 1971, the TFR in Bangladesh was 6.9. That means- at that time a mother in Bangladesh gave birth to an average of about seven children. In 1981, the TFR decreased to 6.2. After that, it continued to decrease. World Bank statistics said that the current TFR is 2. Although the latest Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey said that the TFR is now 2.3.
The country's first five-year plan was adopted in 1973-1978 when the issue of population control was given great importance. In 1976, the first population policy was formulated in the country. After that, the government gave special importance to population in all the five-year plans.
Dr. Nazneen Akhter, who works on maternal and child health, said that a lot of emphasis has been given to health, population and nutrition sector programs. The population policy has been updated several times. This has made people aware. In addition, reproductive health has improved.
Sources said that the field workers of the Directorate General of Family Planning have played an important role in birth control in the country.Apart from their relentless work, the media has also played a major role in the issue of birth control.
Many small and large private organizations or NGOs were associated with this across the country. The campaign of small families, happy families was widespread. Whether it is a boy or a girl, two children are enough was also very popular.At the time of independence, 8 percent of able-bodied couples used birth control methods, now that rate has increased to 62 percent.
Professor of the Department of Population Sciences of Dhaka University Mohammad Moinul Islam said, “Women's education and women's empowerment have worked in favour of having fewer children. People have reduced their families thinking of economic progress.”
Experts believed that TFR has had a positive impact on women's health, not just the economy.
Women's health expert Professor Rowshan Ara Begum told this reporter that, “With fewer children, women are getting more work opportunities and more education opportunities. The health risks of having children repeatedly, giving birth to children, and raising children have decreased compared to before. Women in Bangladesh are enjoying the welfare benefits of the reduced TFR.”
However, TFR is not the same or has not decreased equally in all areas of Bangladesh. TFR is higher in Sylhet, Chattogram and Mymensingh divisions.
Government estimates said that the country's population is about 17 crore. If the TFR can be reduced, the population pressure on the country will not increase. Bangladesh was able to control its population mainly by reducing the TFR.
But in the last decade, that progress has stalled. From 2011 to the present, the TFR has not decreased or has decreased very slightly.
In this regard, Professor Rowshan Ara Begum said, “Child marriage is very high in the country. Again, the TFR is high among young women.”
"The current problems of population control are well known. Birth control programs should be taken up in backward areas or special populations. The unmet demand for birth control products should be eliminated," added Professor Mohammad Moinul Islam.
