Share-Net Bangladesh hosted the 10th Annual Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Knowledge Fair 2025 on Sunday at Hotel Sheraton, Banani, Dhaka, bringing together more than 300 participants, including SRHR experts, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, youth leaders, researchers and development partners.
This year’s theme, “SRHR Business for the Grassroots,” highlighted a strategic shift towards positioning SRHR not only as a rights-based public good but also as a driver of social innovation, economic empowerment and sustainable development through ethical business models. The event was organized by Share-Net Bangladesh and hosted by RedOrange Limited, with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh and AmplifyChange, alongside several national partners.
Speakers from government, development agencies and civil society stressed the importance of sustainable, community-led SRHR solutions amid declining donor funding. Discussions focused on improving menstrual health, expanding family planning services, reducing child marriage and strengthening digital SRHR platforms.
The Fair featured plenary and thematic sessions, research presentations, exhibitions and workshops. Research and Innovation Grants and SRHR Awards were presented to recognize outstanding contributions, youth leadership and lifelong commitment to advancing SRHR in Bangladesh.
In the welcome speech, Arnob Chakrabarty, Project Director of Share-Net Bangladesh and Managing Director of RedOrange Limited, expressed pride in reaching the Fair’s 10th milestone and emphasized the role of business in advancing SRHR.
The Opening Plenary Session was attended by Dr Ashrafi Ahmad, ndc, Director General of the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), as Chief Guest. He highlighted the government’s focus on building domestic capacity to ensure sustainable family planning programmes. Toslim Uddin Khan, MD & CEO of SMC, and Dr Mohammad Zahirul Islam from the Embassy of Sweden stressed the need for collaborative, scalable and sustainable SRHR financing models.
Shireen Parveen Haque, Chairperson of the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, cautioned against the commercialization of childbirth and urged rights-based investment for the underprivileged.
The Fair featured plenary and thematic sessions, research presentations, exhibitions and workshops. Research & Innovation Grants and SRHR Awards were presented to recognize youth leadership, community initiatives and lifetime contributions to advancing SRHR in Bangladesh.