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In Bangladesh, as elsewhere, menstruation is surrounded by stigma, silence, and shame. Despite being a critical part of women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), it remains significantly under-researched and addressed. However, the focus on menstrual health (MH) programming is growing globally, with increased awareness of the importance of holistic and rights-based approaches. This case study aims to examine and reflect upon the MH landscape and programming in Bangladesh, assessing the progress, challenges, and potential ways forward.

This case study is based on a non-systematic review of recent global and national literature, eight semi-structured interviews, a review of national television adverts and the authors’ experiences of MH research and programming in Bangladesh.

Hygiene-based education delivered through schools is a common entry point for MH programming in Bangladesh, with limited activities conducted in communities (including with men and boys) and through media. The focus of MH programming has tended to be narrow, with insufficient recognition of the wider gender equality and health implications of menstruation. There are growing efforts to coordinate MH work by different agencies and to collectively advocate for increased government engagement. While significant progress has been made, this case study identifies several gaps and tensions that reflect the complexity of addressing MH.

This case study presents an overview of recent MH experiences and programming in Bangladesh. It recognises the different sectors, sites and stakeholders involved, and includes experiences and perspectives of practitioners, academics, and programme participants.

The low-income groups in developing nations need microcredits to support their family needs. As banks avoid providing microcredits due to high costs, microfinance institutions are the last resort for this segment of society. The cost of borrowing for the borrowers is indeed high. However, these microfinance institutions play a significant role in financial inclusion. In Muslim countries where financial inclusion takes a hit as a portion of society does not want to indulge in usury transactions, Islamic microfinance institutions play a vital role. In this chapter, the focus is on the Islamic microfinance institutions and their role in achieving the objectives of Shari'ah (maqasid al-Shari'ah) along with the fulfillment of goal of financial inclusion. A case study of Akhuwat Foundation found that the institution offers different interest-free microcredit products along with free healthcare and clothing to the needy segment of society. In this way, not only that the financial inclusion is achieved but also the objectives of Shari'ah are fulfilled. The study provides key facts to the academia and microfinance industry in achieving financial inclusion and fulfilling maqasid al-Shari'ah altogether, in which the banking sector is lacking.

Increasing humanitarian disasters and the need for financial support – specifically within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries – has forced global humanitarian agencies to consider alternative funding sources. The victims of disaster and those disadvantaged that remain below the poverty line in much of the OIC countries remain concerned about the source of the funding they receive, based on their beliefs. Furthermore, institutions responsible for managing the funding for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets in their respective countries have also been considering alternative funding. The World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) suggest that the Islamic social finance is largely untapped, with significant potentials for more effective collection and distribution of compulsory alms called zakah and endowments known as waqf within the OIC countries. This chapter assesses the current challenges and opportunities for the Islamic social finance and covers some of the successful cases of the Islamic social finance deployment. The authors review approaches where world-renowned institutions have applied interest-free loans for poverty reduction, banking products for agricultural social financing, the utilization of cross-border social funding for socio-economic development and property management using social finance principles. The authors also assess capital market instruments integrated with the Islamic social finance for managing SDG funding gaps.