Desk Report:
A delegation of eight members of the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum led by Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament of Bangladesh, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP, at the National Parliament Building.
During the meeting held on Monday (July 6, 2026), the members of the delegation demanded increasing public awareness to establish the rights of women and girls, declaring September 30 as ‘National Girl Child Day’ and celebrating it nationwide, adding a separate section on girl children in the Women’s Development Policy and National Child Policy-2011, amending the Child Marriage Prevention Act and Rules, forming a Parliamentary Child Rights Caucus, and taking necessary initiatives for the safety of women and girls and preventing sexual harassment.
After listening carefully to the delegation, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal said that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the safety and dignity of every girl child in the family. He said that there is still a tendency in society to give priority to boys, which needs to be changed. Although most women in the country work tirelessly for their families, they still face various forms of discrimination and malnutrition. Therefore, he emphasized on creating social awareness to prevent any kind of indecent behavior towards women and girls.
He also said that skilled and experienced members should be included in the formation of the Parliamentary Child Rights Caucus. Stating that today’s children are the future of tomorrow, he said that if necessary, the issues of amending laws and regulations will be presented through the caucus. He also mentioned that the government is already implementing various activities for the development, protection and empowerment of the girl child.
The Deputy Speaker said that the government has taken various policy and legal initiatives to establish the rights of women and girls and ensure their safe and dignified lives. There is no alternative to working together among government institutions, public representatives, civil society and social organizations for the effective implementation of these initiatives. At the same time, he called on everyone to play a responsible role in preventing discrimination and violence against women and girls by developing a positive outlook in the family and society.
During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the need to protect the rights of women and girls, ensure a safe and non-discriminatory environment, and take girl-friendly initiatives at the policy-making level. In addition, views were exchanged on the effective role of the parliament, government and civil society in empowering and establishing the rights of women and girls.
The members of the delegation expressed their gratitude to the Deputy Speaker for listening to their statements attentively and sought his continued cooperation in establishing the rights of women and girls. Both sides expressed their determination to continue mutual cooperation in the future to ensure the overall welfare and protection of rights of women and girls, and a safe and inclusive environment.
The courtesy call was held in a sincere and cordial atmosphere.
