Shamima Akther Chowdhury

Experience & Activities

She is a seasoned development professional with over 15 years of experience in the fields of gender, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and adolescent health. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with both national and international NGOs, taking on roles such as Project Manager, Consultant, and Technical Specialist. Her expertise spans gender analysis, gender action planning, gender-responsive project design, and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention. She has played a pivotal role in strengthening adolescent-friendly health services in urban Dhaka and has worked extensively with organizations like UNICEF, Plan Bangladesh, Ipas Bangladesh, Max Foundation, and Christian Aid to implement SRHR and nutrition-focused initiatives in both urban and rural settings. With a strong foundation in program coordination, health system strengthening, and capacity building, she has contributed to advancing gender equality and adolescent well-being across diverse communities.

Beyond her technical expertise, Shamima is a highly skilled trainer and facilitator, delivering training-of-trainers (ToT) sessions for government and non-government stakeholders on SRHR, GBV, and gender-responsive health services. She has conducted specialized training for institutions such as the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), equipping service providers and policymakers with the tools to implement gender-transformative approaches. Her ability to develop training modules, behavior change communication (BCC) materials, and strategic advocacy campaigns has positioned her as a thought leader in gender-sensitive program design. She has also contributed to various national research efforts, including studies on gender norms and adolescent health interventions.

As an independent consultant, Shamima has led numerous high-impact projects, including the development of gender transformation and safeguarding modules, organizational capacity assessments, and policy advocacy initiatives. She has worked with organizations such as the Manusher Jonno Foundation, MDF Training and Consultancy, and the Institute of Social Business to build the capacity of youth-led organizations, local governments, and women’s rights groups. Her extensive experience in proposal writing, project management, and strategic development ensures that she remains at the forefront of advancing gender equity and SRHR in Bangladesh. Through her work, Shamima continues to shape policies, strengthen institutional frameworks, and drive impactful social change.