Boyshondhi Shikka is Obligatory for Religious and Medical Reasons: Bangladeshi Imams' perceptions about Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Education: An In-depth Interview Study in Bangladesh

Sammanfattning: Aim: The aim of this thesis is to explore Bangladeshi Imams’ perception about adolescent sexual andreproductive health education known in Bangla as Boyshondhi Shikka to shed light on Islamic rulings inthis education. Background: Despite of adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) education is a religious and cultural taboo in Bangladesh, there was no study investigates Bangladeshi religious leaders’ view on this education. Method: In-depth interviews with eight Bangladeshi Imams. Imams as the religious leaders who lead the Friday special prayer called Jummah and performing religious ritual around health and illness, and providing health-based message. The data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Findings: Four themes were made: 1) Boyshondhi Shikka is not Western Education: is a natural andnecessary part of their own religion and society 2) Boyshondhi Shikka is fard (Obligatory) for religion and medical reasons: prevent from sin and diseases, 3) Medically-based Sexual health and family planning education encourage premarital sex and 4) Boyshondhi Shikka is supported by Sharia, but should respect religious modesty. Conclusion: While some Imams stated that Boyshondhi Shikka should conform to their interpretation of Sharia; should stress religious modesty, should be given by religious teachers, separate class for girls and boys, the most important finding of this study was that half of the Imams believed adolescents ’sexual and reproductive health education was obligatory for religious and medical reasons. This finding suggests that some Imams may be willing to help, rather than fight, the building of a basic Boyshondhi Shikka.