A roundtable discussion titled “Climate Change and Its Impact on Adolescent Reproductive Health” was jointly organized by Prothom Alo and RHSTEP.

An insightful roundtable discussion titled “Climate Change and Its Impact on Adolescent Reproductive Health” was held at the Prothom Alo office, jointly organised by Prothom Alo and RHSTEP. The session brought together experts from public health, reproductive health, and climate research to highlight how climate change is increasingly affecting the physical and mental well-being of adolescents in Bangladesh.

Key speakers included ; MD. Manjur Hossain, Assistant Director (MCH). Fariha Haseen, Professor (BMU). Elvina Mustary, Deputy Director Programme of RHSTEP Taufiqul Karim Chaudhury, Manager (Advocacy & M&E), RHSTEP. MD. Mofazzal Hossain , Assistant Director (MCH). Sharif Wasima Parveen. Belal Uddin Ahmed, Assistant Director (MCH). Dr. Nishat Tasnim, Medical Officer (MCH). Dr. Angelika Diba Purification, Medical Officer (MCH). Mahabubul Alam, Country Direcctor (Pathfinder). Syed MD. Nuruddin, Advisor of SRHR (Plan International, Bangladesh). Ehetesham Kabir, Consultant(Adolescent Health) of UNICEF, Bangladesh. Md. Nurul Islam Khan, Program Officer (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health) of the World Health Organization Bangladesh. Md. Masudur Rahman, National Coordinator (Right Here Right Now – RHRN-2) of BRAC. Samia Afrin, Project Director (Women's Health and Rights) of the Women's Wing. Abul Barkat,Deputy Director of the Center for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB).

Speakers emphasized the need for a climate-sensitive reproductive health policy to ensure uninterrupted services during disasters. They also highlighted issues such as menstrual hygiene barriers, mental health impacts, unsafe sanitation during emergencies, and increased vulnerabilities in coastal and low-income communities.

The discussion concluded with recommendations to strengthen climate-resilient healthcare systems, ensure continuous SRHR services during emergencies, enhance mental health support for adolescents, and improve coordination among government, NGOs, and climate-health experts.