Sweden funds reproductive health access in Bangladesh
$1.1 million Swedish funding backs inclusive reproductive health care in Bangladesh, targeting marginalized women and gender-diverse people
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Sweden has pledged $1,105,822 to expand access to sexual and reproductive health services in Bangladesh, targeting women and gender-diverse people who face discrimination, violence and systemic barriers to care.
The funding will be channeled through the United Nations Population Fund, or UNFPA, to strengthen integrated, rights-based health services in selected districts across the country.
The program aims to widen access to voluntary family planning, HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, gender-based violence response, mental health counseling and referral support.
Despite policy advances in recent years, many women and gender-diverse individuals in Bangladesh continue to encounter stigma in health facilities, social exclusion and limited protection mechanisms, particularly in conservative or underserved communities.
Health advocates say these barriers often prevent survivors of violence and those at risk of HIV from seeking timely care.
The Swedish-backed initiative will focus on midwifery-led and community-based service models designed to ensure confidentiality and non-discriminatory treatment. It will also invest in training midwives, doctors and paramedics to deliver survivor-centered care and uphold patient privacy — critical concerns in a country where social stigma can deter individuals from accessing reproductive health services.
Catherine Breen Kamkong, UNFPA’s representative in Bangladesh, said the partnership would help reach populations facing multiple layers of exclusion. She emphasized that access to sexual and reproductive health services is a matter of dignity and rights, particularly for those at heightened risk of violence or marginalization.
Sweden’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Nicolas Weeks, described the funding as part of Stockholm’s broader commitment to human rights and gender equality. He said inclusive health systems are essential for building resilient societies and ensuring that no one is denied care because of identity or social status.
The program will be implemented in coordination with government health institutions, civil society groups and local community networks. By strengthening frontline health systems and expanding community outreach, the initiative aligns with Bangladesh’s commitments under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health and gender equality.
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