The document discusses adolescent brain development and health issues in Bangladesh. It notes that brain development continues into the 20s and adolescents have specific needs. Problems encountered by adolescents include personal, social, health, family and sex/reproductive issues. Adolescents represent future development but have few recognized health services. Many girls work and have limited understanding of sexuality, reproduction or STDs. Violence against adolescents is also discussed.

1. Gender, reproductive health and psychological development for Adolescent Dr. Sultan Muhammad Razzak Forum for Culture and Human Development 292/1-B, Bhuianpara Road, Dhaka-1219 Bangladesh

2. Adolescent’s brain is not like adult brain Cornell University, University of Rochester, USA

6. Adolescents defined by WHO as the period between 10and 19 Years, is an important formative time which, to a large extent, shapes the future course of ‘Girls and boys lives. During adolescents, the physical, intellectual and emotional characteristics and patterns of childhood are gradually replaced by adult ones, and girls and boys progressively evolve into a state of relative socio-economic independence. While these changes are occurring, adolescent needs, on the one hand, to be supported as children and on the other, to be helped to achieve the independence, which they desire.

11. Why Adolescents are Important? Adolescents are an important resource for their family, communities and the Nation. As junior members of the households, they make a valuable contribution to the family’s economics well-being through paid work or household activities which free other adults to earn. All adolescents represent the hope for the future development of a nation. With proper support, guidance and nurturing, their contribution and participation can be greatly enhanced.

14. Extent and Nature of Adolescent Girls' Work; Many Adolescents girls work-mainly to supplements the family income Compared to Boys, girls have fewer opportunity to work for wages. Girls living in Urban areas are more likely to be unemployed than girls Larges numbers of Adolescents girls work in Agriculture, although they are frequently unpaid for the work they do. 400000 adolescents girls aged 14+19 are working in the garments industry. Their working environment is far from ideal, but many have more autonomy and independence from their families than other girls. It is estimated that there are 225,000 female child domestics in Dhaka city,90% of whom are between 9 and 16 years old. Girls working in domestic services are isolated. Their vulnerability to various kinds of abuse from their employers is very high.

22. Adolescent Health and Guidance Services Broad Objective To provide health and psycho-social services for adolescents through a comprehensive Adolescent Health Programme. Specific Objectives To assess health and psychological needs and problems of adolescents through differential diagnosis; To support adolescents to cope with problem behavior, by providing psychotherapy, guidance and counselling; To promote positive attitudes and values in adolescents for healthy sexual behavior; To enhance adolescent’s potential through various strategies of life skills education; To establish linkages with schools, PTIs and civil service organizations in order to strengthen services for the adolescents; and To provide referral services for adolescents with specific health related problems.

25. Physician Multi-Disciplinary Service Delivery Team Clinical Psychologist Counsellor Psychiatrist (Referral) Social Worker Gynecologist (Referral) Nutritionist Child Development Expert