Girl Child Advocacy Forum
A workshop titled ‘Halt Child Marriage: National Plan of Action’ organised jointly by Girl Child Advocacy Forum (GCAF) and Plan International Bangladesh was held recently at Charghat Upazila Parishad auditorium in Rajshahi. In the programme the speakers said that the prevention of child marriage could be the effective means of proper physical and mental development of girls child besides freeing them from domestic violence. They said there is no way but to halting child marriage for making them worthy citizens for overall development of the nation together with achieving the sustainable development goals. The discussants mentioned responsive support from the community, especially teachers, parents and other leaders of influence has become must to make the girl child educated through ensuring safe space for them. They viewed that schoolteachers and others concerned should be trained on the issue so that they can teach their students and guide them properly. The practice of child marriage is very damaging, especially for girls. It seems that girls are treated as burden to society, mostly in rural areas.Terming child marriage as gross violation of human rights, they said. The function was addressed, among others, by Charghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ashraful Islam, Upazila GCAF President Md. Kamruzzamman and Area Coordinator of GCAF Subrata Kumar Paul.
Gano Azadi League
A meeting organised by Gano Azadi League was held at the Public Library auditorium in the city. Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim was present as the chief guest. While speaking Nasim said no ‘formula’ on the next Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election would be accepted as the next national polls would be held as per the constitution. “It is useless to give any formula on the upcoming general election. The election will be held as per the constitution.There is no scope to violate the constitution,” said Nasim. The minister said the election will be held in the country after two years under the democratic government.”Already Election Commission (EC) has been formed and the EC has started its activities,” he added. Nasim expressed the hope that the BNP would participate in the next parliament election. The present EC will take all necessary initiatives to hold free, fair and neutral national elections. The function was addressed, among others, by Joint General Secretary of the Dhaka City Awami League Dr Dilip Roy, Gano Azadi League Advisor Syed Shamsul Alam Hasu and its General Secretary Ataullah Khan. President of the organisation SK Sikder presided over the event.
