Inception Meeting of SBC Programme for Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Well-being Held in Bhola

An inception meeting for the project titled "Social & Behavior Change (SBC) Programme for Promoting Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Well-being" was successfully held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Bhola in May 10, 2026. The event was organized by Shushilan in support of UNICEF.

The meeting was chaired by the Chief Guest, Mr. Dr. Md. Shamim Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Bhola. Mr. Dr. Manirul Islam, Civil Surgeon, Bhola, Mr. Ahsan, Additional Superintendent of Police, Bhola  and Mr. Md. Qausar Hossain, UNICEF Chief Field Office, attended as the Special Guest. The session was facilitated by Mr. Md. Sajib Rahman (Project Coordinator, Shushilan) and Mr. Md. Abdul Jalil (SBC Officer, UNICEF), and moderated by Ms. Marufa Sultana (Training and Monitoring Officer, Shushilan).

The primary objective of the meeting was to share the project’s vision, timeline, budget, and key deliverables with government stakeholders and development partners. Project Coordinator Mr. Md. Sajib Rahman presented an overview of the project, highlighting that the SBC programme specifically aims to foster positive behavioral and social changes in health, nutrition, and well-being among vulnerable and marginalized communities, particularly in riverine char areas and fishing communities.

During the discussion, key district officials—including the Deputy Directors of Social Services, Family Planning, and the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer—emphasized the need for robust inter-sectoral coordination and continuous field engagement to address the unique psychosocial and geographical challenges faced by these marginalized groups.

UNICEF Chief Field Office, Mr. Md. Qausar Hossain, stressed that the success of the programme relies heavily on strong monitoring, regular follow-ups, and collaborative efforts between NGOs and local administrations. In his concluding remarks, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Dr. Md. Shamim Rahman instructed all district and upazila-level officials to remain actively involved in the project to ensure effective outreach and sustainable impact.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment from participating government departments, law enforcement, and civil society representatives to strengthen coordination and administrative support, ensuring that the SBC interventions successfully reach the most vulnerable populations.