‘Raise voice to awaken others’
Holy Cross College and Notre Dame College debate clubs won the USAID International Women's Day Debate Competition 2020 yesterday.
The two clubs beat the debating clubs of Saint Joseph Higher Secondary School and Viqarunnisa Noon College respectively in competitions on "Families ['societies' for opposing sides] play a key role in ensuring girl power" at The Daily Star Centre in the morning.
BGMEA President Rubana Huq and USAID officials handed over trophies to four teams at the closing ceremony.
In her speech, Rubana Huq said none can be successful without facing challenges in life. "So you [women] have to face challenges as there is no alternative or no shortcut way to change your life," she affirmed.
"I think, there is no difference between men and women, so lead your life fearlessly in line with a proper plan," she said.
USAID Mission Director Derrick Brown said women are the first teachers of their children. "We must understand this reality and come forward together to change our societies; if both men and women do better in Bangladesh, the country will obviously do better in the world," he said.
JoAnne Wagner, deputy chief of mission of the US embassy, said women have the ability to change the world. "Raise your voice against all sorts of discrimination; if you raise your voice, it will help others to awaken," she said.
Terming men and women allies, Wagner said, "If you think about empowerment, you have to exercise your own power; it doesn't matter what gender you belong to."
Among others, journalist Morshed Hassib Hasan and filmmaker Shameem Akhter were present at the event.
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