On 13 July 2026, RHSTEP’s Aparajeyo Tarunno (UYP) Chattogram Centre organized a workshop titled “Empower Young Women and Engage Youth with Disabilities in Health Reform Efforts.” The initiative focused on strengthening the participation of young women and youth with disabilities in health reform processes and promoting a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable healthcare system.

The session was chaired by Apu Dasgupta, Project Officer, Aparajeyo Tarunno Chattogram Centre. Discussions were contributed by Parvin Akter Ritu, Chief Coordinator, Jubah Social Development Organization, and Saleha Begum, representative of the disability organization AIDUC. The session began with a PowerPoint presentation delivered by Annie Chowdhury, Youth Officer, followed by an engaging introduction and ice-breaking activity involving the participating young representatives.

The speakers emphasized that empowering young women and engaging youth with disabilities in health reform efforts is not merely a topic for discussion; it is an essential commitment towards building a just, inclusive, and sustainable healthcare system.

They highlighted that meaningful development can only be achieved when women, men, persons with disabilities, and all other groups within society enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and access to development benefits. Young women are not only members of their families and communities; they are also future leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and agents of social change. Ensuring their access to education, healthcare, safety, leadership opportunities, and decision-making processes is essential for building a prosperous, equitable, and humane society.

The discussion also emphasized the importance of recognizing youth with disabilities as capable and valuable members of society, rather than viewing disability through a lens of dependency or limitation. Young people with disabilities possess skills, talents, perspectives, and potential that can contribute meaningfully to social and national development. Therefore, ensuring their equal access to healthcare, information, participation, and decision-making is both a social and ethical responsibility.

The workshop created an opportunity for young participants to engage in discussion, share perspectives, and reflect on the barriers that young women and youth with disabilities face in accessing health services and participating in health-related decision-making. The interactive approach encouraged participants to consider how inclusive policies, greater awareness, and meaningful youth engagement can contribute to health sector reforms.

The session concluded with a shared commitment to promoting gender equality, disability inclusion, youth leadership, and equal participation in health reform efforts. Through initiatives such as this, RHSTEP’s Aparajeyo Tarunno (UYP) continues to create platforms where young people can raise their voices, contribute to dialogue, and become active partners in building a more inclusive and rights-based healthcare system