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** Local advocacy and knowledge helps safeguard gains in SRH in Bangladesh
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January 11, 2021

Dear Advocates,

The Protecting Global Gains ([link removed]) series kicks off 2021 with a story about the motivated and resourceful advocates in Bangladesh who not only safeguarded essential family planning services against the disruptions of COVID-19 but also maximized the impacts of domestic investment. Read on for the latest edition of Protecting Global Gains: ([link removed]) Bangladeshi activists help sustain access to family planning services ([link removed]) .

In April 2020, the Guttmacher Institute released dire estimates ([link removed]) on how COVID-19 is affecting sexual and reproductive health services. Estimates showed that the compounding ramifications of national lockdowns, economic losses, disrupted supply chains, and repurposed health personnel could lead to as many as 15 million annual unintended pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries. Sexual and reproductive health services in Bangladesh experienced some of these challenges—especially as personal protective equipment (PPE) was allocated to staff providing essential health services only.

Advocacy groups and local governments in Bangladesh took action in response to this sexual and reproductive health emergency. Learn about how two Bangladeshi NGOs, Marie Stopes Bangladesh ([link removed]) and Shushilan ([link removed]) , through the Advance Family Planning initiative ([link removed]) , worked with local government to stave off feared setbacks in reproductive and sexual health in the latest story on protectingglobalgains.org ([link removed]) , Bangladeshi activists help sustain access to family planning services.

Whether it’s resuming polio vaccinations in remote areas of Pakistan ([link removed]) , introducing smarter ways to distribute bed nets in Benin ([link removed]) , or safeguarding reproductive health in Bangladesh, community ownership and local innovation have been key to building flexible and resilient health systems and staving off the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Follow the Protecting Global Gains series on social media at @hivpxresearch ([link removed]) , @theglobalfight ([link removed]) , @Amref_Worldwide ([link removed]) and #ProtectingGlobalGains ([link removed]) , and consider amplifying these stories on your own social media. Advocates can pressure governments to honor their commitments ([link removed]) to family planning services and for continued national and global investment ([link removed]) in efforts to minimize the toll of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health. Visit www.protectingglobalgains.org ([link removed]) to learn more about how to take action.

Best,
AVAC

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