Capacity Building Trainings Held in Bhola to Promote Social and Behaviour Change

Shushilan, with support from UNICEF, organized two impactful training sessions on Social and Behavior Change (SBC), Community Engagement, Key Behaviors and Interpersonal Communication in Bhola district. The trainings took place on 15 May 2025 in Daulatkhan and 20 May 2025 in Borhanuddin. A total of 52 participants including government officials, NGO representatives, religious leaders, matchmakers, and law enforcement joined the sessions to enhance their understanding of behavior-focused communication and ethical community engagement. The sessions began with welcome remarks and a self-introduction session facilitated by Rekha Yesmin, the Project Coordinator of the SBC Programme. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Daulatkhan, Ms. Niyoti Rani Kauri, and the UNO of Borhanuddin, Md. Rayhanuzzaman, inaugurated the sessions in their respective upazilas with encouraging speeches, calling for integrated efforts to address behavioral issues in society. The first technical session in both upazilas was conducted by Md. Sajib Rahman, Training and Monitoring Officer, who presented a comprehensive situational analysis based on third-party baseline findings. He used informative charts and diagrams to highlight existing behavioral challenges across Bhola district, particularly in relation to child marriage, maternal health, communication gaps, and institutional cooperation. Following the presentation, Rekha Yesmin led an interactive discussion on the framework of community engagement and the application of minimum quality standards and indicators. She emphasized stakeholder roles and introduced participatory strategies to ensure sustainable behavioral impact. A dedicated session on Interpersonal Communication (IPC) was facilitated by Md. Sajib Rahman, where participants engaged in practical exercises and explored types of IPC, key techniques, and structured steps for effective dialogue with community members. He highlighted that IPC, when applied effectively, plays a vital role in changing deep-rooted social norms and perceptions. In the final technical session, Rekha Yesmin addressed the ethical considerations of behavior change programme. Through case studies and group-based exercises, participants learned how to apply ethical practices in real-world scenarios, especially when dealing with sensitive issues such as early marriage, adolescent health, and harmful gender norms. In Borhanuddin, the Family Planning Officer expressed concern over the deteriorating state of personal and social values, suggesting accountability mechanisms for elected representatives if found complicit in child marriage incidents. UNO of Borhanuddin, Md. Rayhanuzzaman, remarked, “When irregularity becomes the norm, culture begins to decay. Grooming at the family level is essential for lasting change.” In Daulatkhan, UNO Niyoti Rani Kauri reflected, “This training brought together various sectors. From today, Shushilan also shares the responsibility for social change. We will provide full administrative support to sustain these efforts.” She emphasized self-awareness as a root of collective transformation. OC Md. Zillur Rahman of Daulatkhan Police Station applauded Shushilan and UNICEF’s initiatives and proposed integrating SBC messages into community policing programs. Teachers, Journalists and officials from Family Planning, NGOs, and Youth Development echoed the call for inter-sectoral collaboration and community-based awareness to ensure long-term impact. The events concluded with strong commitments from all stakeholders to support Shushilan’s mission to foster positive social transformation in Bhola.