On 11 July 2020, I was formally recognised by the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, for my work in journalism focusing on family planning, maternal and child health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues. The award was announced at the virtual programme for World Population Day 2020, which this year was held virtually in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The theme for World Population Day 2020 in Bangladesh was “Putting the brakes on COVID- 19: How to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls now. The Hon. Health & Family Welfare Minister, Zahid Maleque, extended congratulations to the winners. The Secretary of the Health Services Division, Md Abdul Mannan; the Representative of UNFPA Bangladesh, Dr Asa Torkelsson; and DGFP’s Director-General, Sahan Ara Banu, also spoke at the occasion. The programme was presided over by the Health Education Secretary, Md Ali Noor. Six journalists were awarded for their work on family-planning, maternal/child health and SRHR. The list included winners from print and broadcast media such as Sajida Islam Parul (The Daily Samakal), Hasan Sohel (The Daily Inqilab), Razu Ahmed (GTV), and Synthia Kainath Nur (Bangladesh Post). Each winner received a certificate, a crest, and prize money of Tk 50,000.
The award recognises not just individual reporting skill, but specifically the role of media in promoting awareness about family planning services, maternal and child health, and SRHR especially crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many health services were disrupted and the rights of women and girls came under added pressure.The DGFP’s initiative acknowledges that high-quality journalism can influence public policy, raise awareness among communities, and contribute to improved service delivery and health outcomes.
This recognition therefore highlights my commitment to ethical, socially-relevant journalism, to giving voice to vulnerable groups, and to reporting in ways that support public interest, health equity and rights.
My reporting focused on (but was not limited to) analysing how COVID-19 disrupted family planning and maternal and child health services; the barriers faced by women and girls in accessing SRHR services; the role of policy and programme responses during the pandemic; and how media can highlight innovations and gaps in the system. Through feature-stories, investigative pieces, and commentary, I elevated issues that may otherwise have remained under-reported — helping build public understanding and informing debate.Inclusion in both the award winners and the fellowship cohort underscores the recognition of not just past work but potential for future contribution in this field.
References:
Family Planning Reporting: Star journo among six awarded by DGFP”, The Daily Star, 12 July 2020.
The Daily Star journo wins Family Planning Media Award 2020”, The Daily Star (Online), 11 July 2020.
Govt overcoming pandemic time healthcare challenges”, Bangladesh Post, 11 July 2020.
DGFP “World Population Day Souvenir” PDF (2021) includes reference to the fellowship programme.
