Jewel Das, Assistant Professor at the department of Journalism and Media Studies, Port City International University, has recently released a seminal book focusing on the critical issues of health, nutrition, WASH (Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and child protection within the ethnic communities of the Bandarban Hill District.
The publication is a collaborative effort with UNICEF and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board.
Addressing Critical Issues in Bandarban
The book delves deep into the unique challenges faced by the ethnic communities of Bandarban, including the Mru, Khumi, and Tripura groups.
Despite numerous initiatives by both governmental and non-governmental organizations, these communities remain marginalized due to widespread poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, and poor sanitation. These factors severely hinder their progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Preserving rights and ensuring protection
Preserving fundamental rights and ensuring the protection of children remain significant hurdles.
Many children in these communities lack access to basic amenities such as handwashing facilities, sanitation, and safe drinking water. Inadequate postnatal care is a prevalent issue, particularly in rural and low-income areas.
Additionally, child labor and child marriage are widespread, further jeopardizing the health and well-being of children.
Culturally Tailored Interventions Needed
The diverse social systems and cultural practices of these ethnic groups necessitate healthcare, nutrition, WASH, and protection efforts that are tailored to their specific socio-cultural contexts.
Understanding the factors affecting knowledge, attitudes, practices, and socio-cultural norms (KAPN) is crucial for effectively meeting the SDGs in Bandarban.
Challenges of Traditional Societies
In traditional societies like those in Bandarban, childcare and health-seeking behaviors are deeply embedded in cultural beliefs. These communities face significant disparities in healthcare, nutrition, and WASH practices, compounded by issues such as child labor, child marriage, and gender-based violence. These challenges contribute to long-term socio-economic problems and impede development.
Need for continued efforts
Despite various programs targeting these areas, the ethnic groups in Bandarban remain vulnerable due to socio-economic and socio-cultural conditions, poor access to basic needs, and the unique geographic challenges of the region. The district's remote location and difficult terrain further complicate efforts to provide adequate healthcare and WASH facilities.
Ongoing efforts by the government and NGOs are essential to improve the health and nutritional status of these communities, particularly women, children, and adolescent girls.
However, prevalent diseases, malnutrition, poor WASH systems, and inadequate maternal and child health services underscore the need for continued and targeted interventions.
Literature Review and Study Significance
Few systematic qualitative studies have explored maternal and child health, nutrition, WASH, and adolescent protection issues in the ethnic communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Existing literature primarily focuses on socio-economic determinants without providing in-depth insights into the specific KAPN related to these issues in the Mru, Khumi, and Tripura communities.
This study aims to fill this gap by examining the socio-economic and socio-cultural KAPN related to health, nutrition, WASH, and protection among these ethnic groups.
Understanding these factors is essential for developing effective strategies to meet the SDGs and ensure that no one is left behind.
Significance of the study
The remoteness, ecological challenges, and behavioral patterns of Bandarban's ethnic communities significantly influence their health and protection issues. Lack of awareness, ignorance from the majority society, and changing lifestyles due to displacement and acculturation contribute to unique health and social challenges.
While some initiatives have explored the health and care practices of major ethnic groups, the needs of smaller, marginalized groups like the Mru, Khumi, and Tripura have often been overlooked.
Addressing the health, nutrition, WASH, and protection needs of these communities is essential for achieving the SDGs and ensuring equitable development.
This study provides valuable insights into existing care practices for children, adolescents, and mothers, as well as the underlying causes for not adopting positive and healthy practices. It highlights the importance of tailored interventions that consider the unique socio-cultural contexts of these communities.
Assistant Professor Jewel Das expressed his gratitude for the support received during the creation of this book, marking a significant milestone in his academic career. He acknowledged the collaboration with Prof. Dr. Mohammad Sahid Ullah and extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the project.
This book is an important contribution to understanding and addressing the health, nutrition, WASH, and protection challenges faced by the ethnic communities of Bandarban, paving the way for more effective and culturally sensitive interventions, said Das.
