‘Empowerment of women is very important for sustainable development and progress of Bangladesh. No development can be sustainable with half the population of the country leaving women behind. Adolescents and young women are becoming aware of sexual, reproductive health and life skills in the implementation of Our lives, Our health, Our futures programme. This awareness will play an important role in their lives.’
Yasmin Parvin Tibriji, The Deputy Commissioner made the remarks at an exchange meeting on Tuesday, November 23 at the Bandarban Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Room with the funding of the European Union and technical assistance from Simavi Netherlands. In this meeting organized by Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS), she further said that besides health awareness of women, it is also important to be financially self-sufficient, through which women will be truly empowered. Sustainable development is possible only if women’s empowerment is ensured. The role of men is also important in women’s empowerment. She called upon men to come forward to ensure the rights of women at all levels of family, society and state. She mentioned that it is possible to achieve the SDG targets through coordination of government as well as non-government initiatives.
Daw Nai Prue Naly, Executive Director, Ananya Kallyan Sanghathon (AKS), gave a welcome address at the meeting, which was chaired by Sanjoy Majumdar, Project Manager, Our Lives, Our Health, Our Futures Programme. Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mohammad Sheikh Sadeq, Additional Superintendent of Police (Admin) Md. Quddus Faraji, Deputy Director of the Department of Family Planning Dr. Aung Thalo, Deputy Director of Social Services Milton Muhuri, Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Development Saifuddin Mohammad Hasan Ali, Deputy Director of the Department of Women’s Affairs Atia Chowdhury, Thanchi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ataul Gani Osmani, Rowangchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Forkan Elahi Anupam, Executive Director of GRAUS Chaing Seing Moung and Eti Biswas, Representative of Tahzingdong. NGO and civil society representative Caritas Bangladesh’s Rupna Das, UNFPA representative Dhana Ranjan Tripura, United Purpose Representative’s Apul Tripura and human rights activist Aung Cha Mong Marma, others were present.
Sumit Banik, Master Trainer, BNPS, presented the activities and progress of the project at the facilitated by Deedhiti Chakma, Project Coordinator, AKS. At the event, the members of the girls club showcased their activities in the stalls and the invited guest visited the stalls of the girls club and expressed their views on various issues. Field level officers and staff of AKS, GRAUS, Tahzingdong, the implementing organization of Bandarban Hill District were present on the occasion.