Barguna: Norway has reaffirmed that every child deserves the chance to dream, learn, and grow in safety, as the Norwegian Ambassador and a high-level delegation visited Barguna this week to observe ongoing efforts to end child marriage and empower adolescent girls. Norwegian Ambassador H¥kon Arald Gulbrandsen, together with delegations from Norad and Plan International Norway, undertook an inspirational field visit to Bamna and Pathargatha upazilas of Barguna district, said the Norwegian embassy here today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the visit focused on long-running Norwegian support for programmes that protect girls and expand access to education. For over a decade, Plan International and Norad have been jointly working to eliminate child, early, and forced marriage in Bangladesh. During the visit, the delegation observed the Girls Get Equal 2.0 project, implemented by Plan International Bangladesh in partnership with the Resource Development Foundation (RDF).
The project empowers adolescent girls through functional literacy, climate awareness, and essential sessions on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV). It also supports out-of-school and dropout boys and girls from vulnerable and marginalised families, giving them a second chance at education and equipping them with the skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship.
Recognised globally as a strong defender of gender equality, Norway reiterated its commitment to advancing women’s rights. The visit underscored collective efforts to end child marriage, promote girls’ education, and ensure that all girls and women can live free from violence and discrimination while making informed choices about their futures.