RHSTEP

Training on Mental Health and Well Being
14 - 15 September 2026
Hotel Nascent Gardenia I Baridhara Diplomatic Zone I Dhaka.

We are pleased to share that the meeting with Government Health Authorities on “RHSTEP’s SRHR Initiatives, Challenges and Way Forward” was successfully held at the DGHS Conference Room on 14 September 2026. The meeting brought together senior representatives from DGHS, DGFP, DGME, development partners, and RHSTEP to discuss key priorities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Bangladesh. The discussion was about ongoing SRHR initiatives, key challenges, and future opportunities for collaboration. During the meeting, RHSTEP presented its ongoing programs and a research study on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), which generated valuable feedback and recommendations from government representatives. The discussion focused on strengthening government–NGO collaboration, expanding access to quality health services, and identifying practical approaches to ensure greater benefits for women, adolescents, and communities across Bangladesh. Participants also exchanged ideas on future interventions, policy support, research utilization, and evidence-based strategies to improve public health outcomes. RHSTEP remains committed to working closely with government and development partners to advance equitable and quality SRHR services for all.

Today, the Network Dialogue on “Advancing Quality Inclusive RMNCAH Services through Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration” was successfully held at the Conference Room of 250 Bedded General Hospital, Jashore. The event brought together representatives from the public health sector, Family Planning Department, and development organizations to discuss strengthening collaboration, improving service quality, enhancing referral mechanisms, and ensuring integrated RMNCAH services.

The dialogue provided a valuable platform for sharing experiences, identifying challenges, and exploring opportunities to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services. We sincerely thank all participants for their active engagement and meaningful contributions. Together, we remain committed to advancing inclusive, quality healthcare services for women, children, and adolescents.

Today, a delegation from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) visited the Dhaka Medical RHSTEP Centre in Dhaka.

The visiting delegation included Hanna Norell, Counsellor/Deputy Head of Mission/Head of Development Cooperation, Felix Helgesson, Deputy Head of Mission and Dr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam, Senior Programme Officer and Health Advisor, Embassy of Sweden, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

During the visit, the SIDA team met with Brig. Gen. Md. Asaduzzaman, Hospital Director, and the Head of the Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The discussions focused on RHSTEP’s ongoing programs, services, and collaboration in the area of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

Representing RHSTEP’s Central Office were Md. Ashiqul Islam, Executive Director; Mahbubul Haque, Director (Program); Dr. Elvina Mustary, Joint Director (Program); Mohammad Bazlul Karim, Deputy Director (Finance & Accounts); and Taufiq Ul Karim Chowdhury, Assistant Director (M&E and Advocacy), along with members of the DMCH RHSTEP team.

The visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration, exchange views, and discuss the ongoing efforts of RHSTEP to improve access to quality and rights-based sexual and reproductive health services.

RHSTEP sincerely appreciates the SIDA team’s visit and continued support and collaboration.

Workshop on Menopausal issue and its Management

18 August 2026, Multipurpose Hall, BTRF, Mirpur, Dhaka.

ফার্মেসী মালিক কর্মকর্তা এবং কর্মীদের সাথে ওষুধের মাধ্যমে মাসিক নিয়মিতকরণ বিষয়ক কর্মশালা
৩০ জুলাই ২০২৬, মাল্টিপারপাস হল, বিটিআরএফ, মিরপুর, ঢাকা।

Training on Gender Transformative Approach (GTA) and Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA)

27 - 28 July, 2026 in Dhaka, Bangladesh

সহায়ক কর্মীদের জন্য প্রতিষ্ঠানের নীতিমালা বিষয়ক ওরিয়েন্টেশন
(যৌন নিপীড়ন ও নির্যাতন থেকে সুরক্ষা-PSEA এবং অন্যান্য প্রাসঙ্গিক বিষয়)

১৯ জুলাই ২০২৬, কেন্দ্রীয় কার্যালয়, আরএইচস্টেপ, ঢাকা

Project Orientation Meeting Successfully Held for Safe MR Project, Phase III
Reproductive Health Services Training and Education Program (RHSTEP) successfully organized a Project Orientation Meeting on 10 June 2026 at Amari Dhaka, Gulshan-2, Dhaka under the Safe MR Project, Phase III.
The event brought together distinguished representatives from government agencies, UN organizations, INGOs, and NGOs to strengthen collaboration and promote a shared understanding of the project's objectives and implementation strategies.
The meeting was graced by Dr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam, Health Advisor, Development Cooperation Section, Embassy of Sweden, and Dr. Nasir Ahmed, Director (MCH-Services Unit), DGFP, along with senior representatives from the Government of Bangladesh, including:
🔹 Dr. A.N.M. Mustafa Kamal Mazumder, Deputy Director (MCH), DGFP
🔹 Dr. Md. Manjur Hossain, Assistant Director (MCH-Service Unit), DGFP
🔹 Dr. Asif Iqbal, Assistant Director, School Health, DGHS
🔹 S.M. Saiful Islam, Assistant Director (Training), DSHE
🔹 Dalia Akter, Assistant Director, DGNM
Representatives from UNICEF, WHO, BRAC, Naripokkho, Red Orange, CDD, BAPSA, and other development partners also actively participated in the meeting.
During his remarks, Dr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam, Health Advisor, Embassy of Sweden, emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in a changing development landscape. He noted that development funding is gradually declining and highlighted the need for stronger partnerships among stakeholders. He described RHSTEP as a unique example of successful Government–NGO collaboration in Bangladesh, demonstrating how coordinated efforts can contribute to sustainable development outcomes.
Md. Ashiqul Islam, Executive Director, RHSTEP, delivered the welcome address and greeted the participants. Dr. Elvina Mustary, Joint Director (Program), RHSTEP, presented an overview of the Safe MR Project, Phase III, highlighting its objectives, expected outcomes, and implementation approach.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Dr. Mozammel Huq Azad Khan, Vice-President, RHSTEP, highlighted three notable strengths of the organization:
✅ Demographic Dividend: Through initiatives such as Alor Dhara Pathshala, RHSTEP is actively engaging adolescents and youth, creating opportunities for young people to develop their knowledge, skills, and leadership potential.
✅ Strong Financial Compliance: RHSTEP maintains a high standard of financial accountability and transparency, with a strong compliance record and no significant audit observations related to financial management.
✅ Commitment to Self-Sustainability: RHSTEP continues to invest in long-term sustainability strategies to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of its services and programs.
The session was moderated by Taufiq Ul Karim Chowdhury, Assistant Director (M&E and Advocacy), RHSTEP.
Through this orientation meeting, RHSTEP reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships and advancing access to safe menstrual regulation, family planning, and sexual and reproductive health services across Bangladesh.