Speakers at a discussion stressed the need for moral education and coordinated efforts from all stakeholders to prevent sexual harassment, child marriage and ensure rights of girls.
Speakers made this remarks at a virtual seminar on ‘Future of Our Girl Child in the Context of COVID-19’ following ‘International Day of the Girl Child 2020’ organised by ‘Room to Read Bangladesh’ on Sunday.
The theme for this year (2020) was “My voice, our equal future”, reimagined a better world inspired and led by adolescent girls, as part of the global Generation Equality movement.
Speaking as the chief guest at the webinar, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said, “Our government is working to ensure women empowerment. Education is the main tool in this regard.”
About recent movement, she said, “Rape is a heinous crime. The government has a zero tolerance policy prohibit all forms of crimes including rape and sexual abuse. We need to build social awareness and social movement against rape.”
State Minister for Information, Communication and Technology Junayed Ahmed Polok said, “We have been able to reach the Internet to most people. About 10.3 crore people are using internet in the country. We are working to reach internet to more people at a cheap rate.”
He also said, “Government is working to ensure the rights of children. We all, including teachers and family members, need to be aware to ensure the rights of girl child and stop child abuse.”
Chairman of National Human Rights Commission Nasima Begum said, “Many of us do not know about the human rights. Education, food, accommodation and rights to work, all are human rights. There is no difference between the rights of boy child and girl child.”
“National Human Rights Commission is going to organise an essay competition titled ‘Bangabandhu and Human Rights’ in order to spread the knowledge on Human Rights. We will receive essay from all the secondary students of the country till October 20 and create a database while 20 winners will be awarded,” she added.
“During last six months amid Covid-19, the educational activities had been hampered a lot due to lack of educational equipment
Deputy Commissioner of DMP Asma Siddiqua Mili said, “During Covid-19, girls are more likely to be sexually harassed by their families as they are staying home most of the time. Besides, they are also being harassed while going outside.”
“Only enforcement of law does not yield results. Moral education is very important to reduce sexual harassment,” she added.
Dr Abul Hossain, Project Director of Multi-Sectoral Programme on VAW under Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, said, “We are committed to stop child marriage and harassment. There is no alternative to coordinated efforts to stop sexual harassment, eve teasing and child marriage. If someone gives a message about the incident of child marriage at least one day in advance, we can stop that marriage.”
Among others, Director General of Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Professor Dr Syed Md GolamFaruk, Director (Planning and Development) of Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Professor Dr Prabik Kumar Bhattacharjee, Country Director of Room to Read Bangladesh Rakhi Sarkar and Programme officer Farzana Bari, were also spoke.