On May 20, 2026, VAALO avant-garde Ltd. and RHSTEP (Reproductive Health Services Training and Education Program) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the beginning of a strategic partnership to strengthen public health, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), research, capacity building, community engagement and social development initiatives across Bangladesh.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Nazneen Akhter, Founder and Managing Director of VAALO avant-garde Ltd., and Md. Ashiqul Islam, Executive Director of RHSTEP, along with representatives from both organizations. The event reflected a shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of women, adolescents, youth, and marginalized communities through collaborative and evidence-based approaches.
Under this partnership, VAALO and RHSTEP will work together in areas including research, training, advocacy, program development, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge generation, and implementation of evidence-driven interventions. By combining their expertise and institutional strengths, both organizations aim to address emerging public health challenges and contribute to achieving national and global development goals.
RHSTEP, a nationally recognized organization with more than four decades of experience in reproductive health services, training, and advocacy, has made significant contributions to improving SRHR outcomes throughout Bangladesh. VAALO avant-garde Ltd., a women-led social enterprise, brings extensive expertise in public health research, health systems strengthening, policy analysis, capacity development, and social innovation.
The signing of the MoU represents a shared vision of promoting health equity, gender equality, and social justice through sustainable, inclusive, and impactful initiatives. Both organizations expressed their enthusiasm for future collaborations that will generate evidence, strengthen capacities, and create lasting positive change for communities across Bangladesh.
This partnership marks an important milestone in advancing innovative and collaborative solutions that contribute to healthier, more resilient, and empowered communities nationwide.
