Some parents would not (…) let peer leaders into their homes. Another accused a peer leader of being an ichrey paka- an immoral young person whose excessive knowledge of sexual issues was harming children. (…) The verdict was clear: Before young people in Gazipur could benefit from the peer programme being offered by Concerned Women for Family Development, there was work to be done with adults.

Sometimes, a particularly supportive and influential parent helped legitimize the project and put other parents at ease. For example, 45-year old Ayesha Akhtar had a daughter, Shumi, working as a peer leader with the project. Having been trained by BRAC (a major NGO in Bangladesh) to distribute medicines and to promote basic health awareness, Ayesha herself was a highly respected member of the community; indeed, she had earned the nickname "Mini-Doctor".

To help the adolescent education programme gain support, Ayesha called a meeting of local mothers, where she herself explained the objectives of the programme. Twelve of the fifteen families present consented to enrolling their daughters. Ayesha attempted to motivate the remaining three families.

What finally convinced them was having a chance to read the project’s simple and straightforward educational booklet series, entitled Amader Jiggasaha (“Our Questions”). Ayesha went a step further and invited Concerned Women to hold the peer-led sessions in her own home.

She explained, “As a social worker, I know the vulnerability of community girls. Some of their parents are ignorant about reproductive health. We should work as volunteers. I personally want my daughter to continue the weekly sessions in my house; girls of all ages love to come and share their problems and seek advice.” Shumi’s father is also supportive. He has read the educational materials and proudly proclaims, “Now, we have two books in our house: the Quran and Amader Jiggasaha.”

UNFPA Publications, p.36. « Creating an Enabling Environment »