Dhaka: To mark International Women’s Day, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Bangladesh organized an Open Mic event at Shahabuddin Park, inviting the public to raise their voices for the rights, justice, and empowerment of women and girls across the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event was held under the global theme ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,’ providing a platform for women, girls, men, and boys to share their reflections, commitments, and aspirations for a more equal Bangladesh. UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh, Catherine Breen Kamkong, addressed the gathering, thanking participants for their courage and engagement, and emphasizing that meaningful change begins by listening to communities. She highlighted the importance of policies and programs that reflect real voices and lived experiences.
UNFPA is committed to preventing violence against women and girls, ending child marriage, reducing adolescent pregnancy, ending preventable maternal deaths, and ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. However, sustainable progress requires collective action, starting with dialogue. Bangladesh has made significant progress in advancing gender equality, yet challenges remain. Violence against women continues to affect millions, child marriage is still prevalent, maternal deaths occur, and many women and girls face barriers in exercising full agency over their health and life choices.
Farhana Sadika, a student at the United International University, spoke at the event about the challenges girls face in her community. She highlighted that many girls are discouraged from studying technology and engineering, and often face cyberbullying and online harassment. Initiatives like Alapon Helpline provide adolescents with a safe space to openly share their struggles, talk about mental health, and support each other. When young people feel heard, they find strength and hope to move forward.
The Open Mic event is part of UNFPA Bangladesh’s broader International Women’s Day campaign, which aims to highlight data, personal stories, and community voices to drive action on women’s and girls’ rights. UNFPA reaffirms its commitment to working alongside the Government of Bangladesh, partners, and communities to ensure that every woman and girl can live free from violence, make informed decisions about her future, and move beyond survival to thrive and realize her fullest potential.