Feature

UNYSAB: Increasing Number of Women in Social Works

Umme Mahbuba

United Nations Youth and Students Association of Bangladesh (UNYSAB) CU Chapter hosted a Iftar party for UNYSAB Chittagong Wing for the first time on September 2 in Chittagong. It was a great experience with UNYSAB Chittagong Wings, which was beyond my expectations. UNYSAB is a voluntary youth and student movement for United Nations with an aim to convey the voice of young generation regarding current global issues such as MDG, COP, human rights and development, environment, disarmament, social justice etc. It is an excellent environment for development of organisational and leadership skills, intellectual abilities and research orientation.

Around five universities such as Asian University for Women (AUW) Chapter, Independent University Bangladesh (IUB) Chapter, Premier University Chapter, BGC Trust University Chapter and Southern University Chapter joined in this programme. Although the other university chapters were active and they did many activities, my university, Asian University for Women Chapter attended in the UNYSAB programme for the first time. It was really an amazing get together where more than 40 student representatives from these universities were present. The presence of UNYSAB Chittagong wings Director Wasim Newaz, Deputy Director Rahat Alam Chowdhury, the program coordinator Mukarramus Saklan, and all members of UNYSAB made this gathering more glorious.

What surprised me most was the presence of several female members. There was a discussion session before the Iftaar. In the Speech of Badsha, member of UNYSAB CU Chapter said, UNYSAB is a great platform for creating a strong bond among the youth of Bangladesh. Noel, the coordinator of UNYSAB IUB chapter said, all University chapters can work jointly to do something better for the society as well as for the youth. I, the coordinator of Asian University for Women (AUW) Chapter talked about the social awareness programmes that can remove eve teasing as well as the gender violence from the society. All other universities' coordinators came to conclusion that youth can play a great role for the society through this organisation.

In the meeting we discussed about many important social issues in Bangladesh like, eve teasing, street children, gender discrimination, child labour, violence against women and female domestic workers. Everybody shared their ideas, projects and plans to do something for the development of the society. It was an amazing gathering of many intelligent and thriving youths who really wanted to do something for the betterment of this society. I am really proud and honoured to get the opportunity to open a group like this in my university and work as a coordinator of my university chapter.

(Coordinator, United Nations Youth and Students Association of Bangladesh (UNYSAB), Asian University for Women (AUW) Chapter, Student of PPE Department, AUW)