According to a 2019 UNICEF report, there are 36 million adolescents currently living in Bangladesh, making up 22% of the population. While adolescence is known to be a critical time to combat poverty, inequity and discrimination and lay the foundations for economic growth, major challenges remain for Bangladeshi adolescents to fulfil their potential and for the country to accelerate progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Pockets of inequality and vulnerability, particularly in rural areas, also plague the country. This report focuses on Chittagong and Sylhet divisions which demonstrate lower secondary school outcomes rates compared to national averages.
This report draws on mixed-methods evidence from the Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) research
programme, a unique, longitudinal mixed-methods research and impact evaluation study that explores ‘what works’ to support the development of adolescent capabilities and evaluation of the Adolescent Student Program (ASP) by the Government of Bangladesh. This research aims to identify effective, scalable and sustainable strategies for improving school retention and overall well-being, including safety, voice, agency and empowerment of Bangladeshi adolescent girls and boys.
Authors: Guglielmi, Silvia; Seager, Jennifer; Sultan, Maheen; Alam, Farhana; Baird, Sarah; Jones, Nicola; Asaduzzaman, T.M.; Ramachandran, Deepika; Sabarwal, Shwetlena
Type: Report
Year: 2021
