Celebration of International Women's Day 2023

Ministry of Women and Children Affairs with the support of UNICEF and the European Union has inaugurated the international women’s day celebration nationwide. The inauguration ceremony was held at Koral T&T Field at Banani, Dhaka. The celebration was inaugurated as a part of the prevention of harmful practices and violence against children and women program.

The Chief Guest of the program was Rowsan Ara Begum, Additional Secretary of Women and Children Affairs, emphasized elimination of gender discrimination and urged all members of the society to come forward especially men. She ended her speech with a reminder of smart Bangladesh that can only happen if men and women can progress simultaneously.

Special guest, Elisa Calpona, Child Protection Manager, Unicef Bangladesh shared the achievement of the ministry of women and children affairs in 2022 which received morr than 13 million children and women through the prevention of harmful practices program. She also mentioned that we must work together to create a society where girls and women are valued and respected, and where they can live their lives free from violence and discrimination.

Monira Hassan, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF Bangladesh recalled everyone how we can be safe on the internet. She mentioned about cyberbully and how it can be controlled by being aware. She had requested everyone to call child helpline 1098 for any help available to serve 24 hrs. 7days.

S M Latif, joint secretary, and project director of APC chaired this program summarized the program, and intensified on a quote that men and women, girls and boys have equal strength to achieve anything in the world. He also mentioned that Child Protection Community Hubs nationwide promote this gender equality along with protection of children.

Among othes, Md. Raihanul haque Child Protection Officer of UNICEF and Monira Hasan Child Protecyion specialist were present in the program. An awareness session was also conducted during the event on online safety. More than four hundred children and community members participated the discussion session and attended the ceremony.