In a small village in Rangpur District, Bangladesh, Health Leader Hena is making a profound impact on the lives of adolescent girls through health education. Hena trained as a Health Leader as part of BURO Bangladesh’s Health Leader program, with the support of Opportunity International Australia.

Hena leads health education for 203 families in her area, and she quickly discovered that adolescent girls in her community had very low levels of knowledge about vaccines and menstrual health. Hena found that only a few girls used sanitary pads during menstruation, and among those, misuse was common. She also identified significant gaps in nutritional and hygiene practices.

When I approached them to have a talk with them, I was actually shocked because most of the girls did not even know about their own health,” Hena shared.

Recognising the urgency, Hena ran dedicated training sessions for girls aged 14 and above, covering a range of topics including vaccinations for women, teenage nutrition, and menstrual hygiene. She explained the dangers of tetanus in particular for pregnant women and newborns, and the importance of getting vaccinated.

Now she supports 41 adolescent girls on their health journey, as well as their families. As most of the girls hadn’t received the tetanus vaccine, she accompanied them to the local vaccination centre to receive their first vaccination.

"Aunty Hena looks after us properly,” said teenage girl Labonno. “Listening to her made me brave enough and forget about the fear to receive the vaccine. I learned that if we don’t get the (tetanus) vaccine, we may suffer from tetanus, which is a very harmful and deadly disease."

The health education has also inspired behavioural changes in menstrual hygiene for the girls.

I wore pads during menstruation but not on the correct routine,” said Sanjida. “I would step outside in the morning and use the same pad throughout the day. But now, all my friends and I know that it needs to be changed every 4-6 hours.”

In Bangladesh, approximately only one in three women and girls use sanitary pads during menstruation.

Nutrition awareness has also improved.

I didn’t like milk or milk-based products, yet after being informed about teenagers’ nutrition needs, I have been having them ever since,” said Mishrat.

Reflecting on her journey as a Health Leader in her community, Hena recalled her own teen years.

"When I began talking to the young girls, I remembered my teenage years when I myself did not know about my health,” said Hena. “If someone had come to our homes, door-to-door then to inform and educate us, it would have been of immense help. Now the girls talk not only about health but also ask me for advice on all kinds of everyday things, which I very much appreciate."

“Deep thanks to Opportunity International Australia and BURO Bangladesh for implementing this program in our village and creating opportunities to better the lives of so many adolescent girls and others."”