‘We will protect the rights of girls’
Vow diplomats, legislators, development partners at event marking Human Rights Day
My journey was not easy, as I did not get support from my family in the beginning. Fearing society's judgement, my mother even destroyed my football once.
Girls who dropped out due to child marriage during the pandemic must be brought back to school, said lawmaker Saber Hossain Chowdhury yesterday.
Data show that despite significant progress in recent years, the prevalence of child marriage in Bangladesh is the fourth highest in the world. Covid-19 exacerbated the problem to a great extent, said Saber, also chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
He also expressed his interest in combating sexual harassment at educational institutions by implementing the guidelines issued by the High Court in 2009 -- which include ensuring anti-harassment committees at the establishments.
He made the remarks at the celebration programme of International Human Rights Day, organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) at the Liberation War Museum Hall in the capital's Agargaon.
This year, MJF is celebrating the day (December 10) with the slogan "We will stand up, we will resist, we will conquer the world".
"The way girls and women are moving forward, we men must help them in their inspiring journeys and provide them the necessary support to flourish," said Saber.
MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said, "Upholding the human rights of women and girls requires their participation in the social and political spheres."
"MJF believes that society as a whole should defend and protect the rights of girls so that they can stand up tall and say 'we will conquer'. We need to support girls to unleash their potential so that they become productive members of society," she added.
Krishna Rani Sarkar, a member of the winning team of SAFF Women's Championship, also joined the event and shared her inspiring journey in football.
"My journey was not easy, as I did not get support from my family in the beginning. Fearing society's judgement, my mother even destroyed my football once," she said.
"Once I gained some recognition, my journey got smoother and even my family started supporting me. Now, I'm supporting myself and my family financially, and inspiring girls to play football," she added.
Eminent author and physicist Muhammed Zafar Iqbal also attended the event. He highlighted how the women in his family -- his mother, wife and daughter -- played a tremendous role in his life.
He also urged women and girls to achieve great things with their skills, talent and willpower.
Like every year, a total of six women and girls, including a transwoman, were recognised with the "Human Rights Winner Awards" at the event.
Umme Habiba from Gaibandha, Ratna Khatun from Satkhira, Mirza Wardah Baig Ashfa from Kishoreganj, Sharmin Akhter from Kishoreganj, Nazrul Islam Ritu from Jhenaidah, and Paingmrau Marma from Bandarban received the awards this year.
Each of them was selected for contributing to society by protecting human rights, playing a key role in women's development, engaging in social service, and improving the quality of lives of those who have been left behind.
Gwyn Lewis, UN resident coordinator to Bangladesh; Gitanjali Singh, country representative of UN Women Bangladesh; and Kristine Blokhus, country representative of UNFPA, handed crests to the awardees.
Environment Ministry Joint Secretary Lubna Yasmine, Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde, Ambassador of European Union to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls, Switzerland Ambassador to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard, and Brac's gender, justice and diversity Director Nobonita Chowdhury spoke at the event among others.