We need fresh, sustainable solutions that address both immediate and long-term climate-related SRHR challenges. Your ideas could help improve SRHR services in Bangladesh as we confront the ongoing effects of climate change.
Are you ready to make a difference?
This competition invites university, and medical students like you to develop innovative solutions. We want you to think creatively about how to address both the gradual and acute impacts of climate change on SRHR. Why is this important? Because if we make our SRHR services ‘climate resilient,’ we can:
- Maintain care during both gradual climate changes and sudden crises
- Protect the most vulnerable populations from ongoing climate related health risks
- Promote long term health equity for all
By participating in this competition, you can:
- Share your innovative and practical ideas
- Make a meaningful impact in SRHR in Bangladesh
- Become a contributor to tackling these crucial issues
When pitching ideas for this topic, consider the following:
1. Climate impact assessment
- Clear identification of climate change impacts on SRHR
- Data driven approach to understanding the problem
2. Resilience strategies
- Innovative solutions to maintain SRHR services during extreme weather events
- Long term strategies for adapting SRHR programs to changing climate
3. Integration with existing systems
- How the idea complements or enhances current SRHR services
- Collaboration with relevant stakeholders (healthcare providers, government)
4. Sustainability
- Environmental sustainability of the proposed solution
- Long-term viability and adaptability of the idea
Tips for a Strong Pitch:
- Clearly state the problem you are addressing and its significance in Bangladesh, either in Bengali or English.
- Explain your solution concisely, highlighting its innovative aspects.
- Provide a brief implementation plan, including potential challenges and how you’ll overcome them.
- Use data or research to support your ideas where possible.
- Conclude with the potential impact of your solution on SRHR in Bangladesh.
About NextGen SRHR Solutions 2024
Climate change is a major challenge affecting everyone, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Bangladesh is one of the world’s most climate change-vulnerable countries experiencing hotter temperatures, rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, and shifts in disease prevalence. These ongoing changes, not just sudden disasters, are particularly tough on vulnerable groups, especially women and girls. Climate change impacts SRHR services in various ways:
- Reduce access to maternal healthcare (prenatal care, childbirth, and postnatal care) during floods, cyclones, etc.
- Disruption of availability of family planning and contraception commodities.
- Worsening of menstrual health management.
- Increased prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and Reproductive Tract infections (RTI).
- Reduce access to safe abortion services and post-abortion care.
- Higher risk of sexual and gender-based violence and exploitation during natural disasters.
As climate change continues, we need to ensure these health services can adapt to gradual environmental changes and withstand potential crises. Climate-related problems can worsen existing issues, so we need smart strategies to protect everyone’s health and rights, particularly in struggling communities. Key SRHR areas we need to focus on include:
- Meeting unique SRHR needs of adolescents
- Improving access to family planning commodities during emergencies
- Need for safe abortion
- Enhancing maternal health services
- Tackling cultural and social barriers and taboos to SRHR
- Strengthening health systems to deliver better SRHR services
- Addressing and preventing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) increased by climate change in affected areas
Judging Criteria
1. Idea / solution:
Innovation and creativity
- Uniqueness of the idea
- Creative approach to solving the problem
Feasibility and practicality
- Realistic implementation plan
- Consideration of resource requirements
- Potential for scalability
Relevance to Bangladesh context
- Understanding of local challenges and needs
- Cultural sensitivity and appropriateness
2. Presentation of the idea:
Presentation quality
- Clear and concise communication of ideas
- Engaging delivery in the video pitch
- Visual simulations or demonstrations (if applicable)
3. Passion and commitment to the idea
Prizes
- Winner: 50,000 BDT
- 1st Runner-up: 30,000 BDT
- 2nd Runner-up: 25,000 BDT
- 3rd Runner-up: 15,000 BDT
- Certificates for all second stage shortlisted teams
