International Day of the Girl 11 October, 2013 >>
Girls and The Hunger Project-Bangladesh – Report
“Girls are not Brides, They Conquer the World” was the theme of this year’s celebration of National Girl Child Day on September 30 in Bangladesh. The Hunger Project-Bangladesh, the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum and Bangladesh Shishu Academy marked the occasion, a part of Children’s Rights Week and ahead of the UN’s 2nd International Day of the Girl, with a colourful rally, a human chain and meetings in more than 500 locations throughout Bangladesh.
This year’s unified campaign for National Girl Child Day promoted the discussion of the critical importance of providing safety/security, better health, education and nutrition to girls. Honourable State minister of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), Meher Afroz Chumki, inaugurated the rally, with about 2000 students, teachers, guardians, government and non-government officials in attendance. The Ministry of Women & Child Affairs and the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum organised the first-ever human chain throughout the country to call for girl child advancement in Bangladesh.
At the local level, National Girl Child Day was celebrated among people’s associations, NGOs, and local governments, giving all Bangladeshis a chance to participate.
THP Bangladesh Country Director Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar chaired a discussion meeting featuring chief guest Ms. Meher Afroz Chumki and special guests Mr Tariq-ul-Islam (Secretary, MoWCA), Mr Sheikh Abdul Ahad (Chairman, Bangladesh Shishu Academy), Ms. Mili Biswas (Deputy Inspector of Police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police), eminent singer Farida Parveen and Mt. Everest climber Wasfia Nazneen. The State minister & the secretary of MoWCA acknowledged the effort of the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum for organising and celebrating National Girl Child Day every year successfully since 2000.
Secretary of the Girl Child Advocacy Forum, Nasima Akhter Joly, called for a national movement for the safety, security and advancement of girl children in Bangladesh, pointing out that while girls and women keep the home safe, nobody takes responsibility to protect them.
Awards were given to children aged 3-16 who participated in the essay and art competition, around the themes of family, school and girls’ relationship with nature.
International Day of the Girl 2013 – Hunger Project Update
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