Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Needs of Young Men Who Live in the Streets in Dhaka City: a Link up Exploratory Study

M AY 2 01 6 Dhaka City in Bangladesh is the fastest growing city in South Asia with an annual growth rate of 7 percent.1 This rapid urbanization is primarily due to migration from rural areas of the country and has led to a substantial increase in the number of adults and children who live in informal settlements in the city. There are currently an estimated 20,000 people living without permanent shelter—known locally as “pavement dwellers”—who live at railway terminals, bus stations, and in other public spaces like ferry landings, markets, religious shrines, and parks.2 With critical unmet needs for shelter, employment, education, and healthcare, these are among the most vulnerable populations of Dhaka City.3