Girl Power Project

el©: 3 msL¨v: 4 Ryb 2014

Year : 3, Issue : 4, June 2014

Girl power is a five-year (2011-2015) global programme funded by dutch ministry of foreign affairs (mfsii) for promoting equal rights and opportunities for girls and young women. This programme is being implemented by local civil society organisations in 10 countries with a common goal. These are: ghana, liberia, sierra leone, ethiopia, zambia, bangladesh, nepal, pakistan, bolivia, nicaragua. plan international bangladesh as a lead organisation is implementing girl power project in bangladesh with partner organisations.

Mvj© cvIqvi:

GwM‡q Pjvi AvovB eQi Girl Power:

a journey of two and a half years

el©: 3 msL¨v: 4 Ryb 2014

Year : 3, Issue : 4, June 2014

Mvj© cvIqvi:

GwM‡q Pjvi AvovB eQi Girl Power:

a journey of two and a half years

cÖavb m¤úv`K GGBPGg eRjyi ingvb

cÖavb wbe©vnx Kg©KZ©v evsjv‡`k GbwRIm †bUIqvK© di †iwWI A¨vÛ KwgDwb‡Kkb (weGbGbAviwm) Ges m¤úv`K, KwgDwbwUwgwWqv wbDR G‡RwÝ

m¤úv`K Avgxb Avj ikx` cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k-Gi cÿ †_‡K Dc‡`óvgÛwj Uwb gvB‡Kj †Mv‡gR wW‡i±i, KwgDwb‡Kkbm A¨vÛ cvewjK wi‡jkbm

ˆmq` gZjyeyi iwk`

A¨vWfvBRi, PvBì ivBUm (cvwU©wm‡ckb A¨vÛ BbK¬zkb)

RvbœvZzj †di‡`Šm iægv

A¨vWfvBRi, PvBì cÖ‡UKkb

†gvnv¤§` gvmy`

g¨v‡bRvi, Mvj© cvIqvi cÖ‡R±

cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k-Gi cÿ †_‡K m¤úv`KgÛwj kvgxg Avnmvb Lvb g¨v‡bRvi, wdì KwgDwb‡Kkbm

dviæL Avn‡g`

cÖ‡R± g¨v‡bRvi-÷c PvBì g¨v‡iR

mvjgv myjZvbv

†¯úkvwj÷-KwgDwb‡Kkbm

†kL mvivn&wRb Avn‡g` KwgDwb‡Kkbm †KvwW©‡bUi Mvj© cvIqvi cÖ‡R±

†kvqvBev ingvb

cÖ‡R± †KvwW©‡bUi, Mvj© cvIqvi cÖ‡R± evsjv‡`k RvZxq gwnjv AvBbRxex mwgwZ

Zvgvbœv ingvb

cÖ‡R± †KvwW©‡bUi, Mvj© cvIqvi cÖ‡R± evsjv‡`k GbwRIm †bUIqvK© di †iwWI A¨vÛ KwgDwb‡Kkb (weGbGbAviwm) ÔMvj© cvIqvi wbDR‡jUviÕ cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k-Gi mn‡hvwMZvq weGbGbAviwm evox 13/3, moK 2, k¨vgjx, XvKv †_‡K cÖKvwkZ| †dvb: +88 02 9130750, 9138501, 9101479| bKkv I gy`ªY: †iWjvBb 01713 011954| GB wbDR‡jUviÕi cybtgy`ªY ev AvswkK e¨env‡i weGbGbAviwm I cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k-Gi AbygwZ cÖ‡hvR¨| cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k wkï‡`i wbivcËv, AwaKvi I gh©v`v wb‡q KvR K‡i hv‡”Q| me©¯Ë^ ¡ msiwÿZ| Gi †Kvb †jLv, Qwe gy`Yª , cybtcÖKvk, cybtcÖPvi cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`‡ki AbygwZ Qvov cÖKvk Kiv hv‡e bv| cÖ‡qvR‡b B-‡gBj Kiæb: [email protected]

Year : 3, Issue : 4, June 2014

Chief Editor AHM Bazlur Rahman Chief Executive Of�icer Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) and Editor, Community Media News Agency Editor Amin Al Rasheed

Advisors from Plan International Bangladesh Tony Michael Gomes Director, Communications and Public Relations Syed Matlubur Rashid Advisor, Child Rights (Participation and Inclusion) Jannatul Ferdous Ruma Advisor, Child Protection Mohammad Masud Manager, Girl Power Project

Sub-Editors from Plan International Bangladesh Shamim Ahsan Khan Manager, Field Communications Farukh Ahmed Project Manager - Stop Child Mariage Salma Sultana Specialist - Communications Sheikh Sarahzin Ahmed Communications Coordinator Girl Power Project Shoaiba Rahman Project Coordinator Girl Power Project Bangladesh Jatiyo Mohila Ainjibee Shomity Tamanna Rahman Project Coordinator, Girl Power Project Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)

'Girl Power Newsletter' is published from BNNRC, House 13/3, Road 2, Shyamoli Dhaka with assistance from Plan International Bangladesh. Phone: +8802 9130750, 9138501, 9101479. Design and print: Redline 01713 011954 Permission is required from BNNRC and Plan International Bangladesh for reprint or partial use of this newsletter.

Plan International Bangladesh is committed to ensuring the security, privacy and dignity of all the children that we work with. All copyrights © reserved. No part of this publication / photo may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means without prior permission of Plan International Bangladesh. Please email [email protected] for more information.

ÔMvj© cvIqvi kbÕ K¨vUvMwi‡Z †miv cyi¯‹vi †c‡q‡Q Ô†e÷ cÖ‡R± wWRvBb A¨vÛ Bgwc‡ø g‡›U †`b| / 'Girl Power Project' has won the 'Best ‡q v ch© ª Kvw›U Gi 4Õ 201 qvW© A¨vI i nv‡Z †µ÷ I mvwUw© d‡KU Zz‡j cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`‡ki Ô†Møvevj Development ' at the country level. Business g›U wW‡i±i kb c¨vU Mvj© cvIqvi wU‡g cÖ‡R±Õ| cø¨vb-Gi weR‡bm †W‡fjc‡ Award of the Plan International Bangladesh's 'Global Award 2014 on' Project Design and Implementati the Girl Power team. s over the crest and certificate to Director of Plan, Sian Patt, hand

wd‡i †`Lv mvd‡j¨i

m‡½ m¤úbœ n‡jv Mvj© cvIqvi cÖ‡R± (wRwcwc)Õi AvovB eQ‡ii AwfhvÎv| GB cÖK‡íi AvIZvq `yÕk wmwfj †mvmvBwU AM©vbvB‡Rkb (wmGmI), GK nvRvi wWDwU weqvivimn 2000 ¯’vbxq e¨w³e‡M©i mn‡hvwMZvq †g‡q wkï I hyev bvixi Rxeb gvb Dbœq‡b WvP& ciivóª gš¿Yvj‡qi Avw_©K mn‡hvwMZvq we‡k¦i 10wU †`‡k GB cÖ‡R± cwiPvwjZ n‡q Avm‡Q| A¨vW‡fv‡Kwmi gva¨‡g wmwfj †mvmvBwU AM©vbvB‡Rkbmg~n‡K kw³kvjx Kiv, †g‡q wkï I hyev bvixi AwaKvi wel‡q `vwqZ¡kxj‡`i m‡PZbZv m„wó, AvBbx mnvqZv cÖwµqvi Dbœqb mvab Ges †g‡q wkï I hyev bvix‡`i m¶gZv evov‡bvi D‡Ïk¨ mvg‡b †i‡L GwM‡q P‡j‡Q wRwcwc| 10wU ev¯ÍevqbKvix ms¯’vi mn‡hvwMZvq †`‡ki AvUwU †Rjv- XvKv, ivRkvnx, wK‡kviMÄ, kwiqZcyi, MvRxcyi, jvjgwbinvU, w`bvRcyi I bxjdvgvix‡Z wRwcwc ev¯ÍevwqZ n‡”Q| ev¯ÍevqbKvix ms¯’vmg~‡ni g‡a¨ i‡q‡Q- Aciv‡Rq evsjv‡`k, A¨v‡mvwm‡qkb di KwgDwbwU †W‡fjc‡g›U,

Looking Back T

he Girl Power Project (GPP) has successfully completed its two and a half years journey. Under this project, plan has worked in collaboration with 200 Civil Society Organizations (CSO), 1000 duty bearers, 2000 local communities to improve the standard of living and reduce gender based violence perpetrated against Girls and Young Women (GYW). With financial assistance from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the project is being implemented in 10 countries. GPP is moving ahead strengthening civil society organizations, building the capacity of girl children and young women, createing awareness among them about their rights and setting up a protection mechanism so they do not suffer from gender based violence. GPP is being implemented in eight districts – Dhaka, Rajshahi, Kishoreganj, Shariatpur, Gazipur, Lalmonirhaat, Dinajpur and Nilphamari through 10 implementing organizations. The implementing Mvj© cvIqvi wbDR‡jUvi 03

evsjv‡`k RvZxq gwnjv AvBbRxex mwgwZ, evsjv‡`k GbwRIm †bUIqvK© di †iwWI A¨vÛ KwgDwb‡Kkb (weGbGbAviwm), bvix D‡`¨vM †K›`ª, XvKv AvnQvwbqv wgkb, iƒcvšÍi, mgvR Dbœqb cÖwk¶Y †K›`ª, D`q¼zi †mev ms¯’v Ges kwiqZcyi †W‡fjc‡g›U †mvmvBwU| BbwWwfRy¨qvj, †mvwkI-KvjPvivj, BÝwUwUDkbvj Ges wmwfj †mvmvBwU AM©vbvB‡RkbÑ GB PviwU av‡c wRwcwc Zvi Kvh©µg cwiPvjbv K‡i Avm‡Q| BbwWwfRy¨qvj ev e¨w³ ch©v‡q i‡q‡Q hyev bvix‡`i Kviv‡Z, jvBd w¯‹jm, jvBfwjûW cÖwk¶Ymn AvZ¥Kg©ms¯’vbg~jK mnvqZv cÖ`vb Kiv| †mvwkI-KvjPvivj ch©v‡q i‡q‡Q evZ©v cÖPvi, w_‡qUi di †W‡fjc‡g›U, ¯’vbxq ch©v‡qi ms¯’vmg~n‡K wkï myi¶v I †RÛvi cÖwk¶Y cÖ`vb, †g‡q wkï I hyev bvix‡`i wb‡q †dvivg ˆZwi Kiv| BÝwUwUDkbvj ev cÖvwZôvwbK ch©v‡q miKvwi Kg©KZ©v‡`i wkï myi¶v I †RÛvi welqK cÖwk¶Y cÖ`vb, A¨vW‡fv‡Kwm IqvK©kc Ges PvBì †cÖv‡UKkb MÖæc MVb Kiv| Avi wmwfj †mvmvBwU AM©vbvB‡Rkb ev bvMwiK mgv‡Ri m‡½ GB cÖK‡íi AvIZvq wewfbœ †bUIqvK© MVb, wkï myi¶v I †RÛvi cÖwk¶Y cÖ`vb, A¨vW‡fv‡Kwm I jwes welqK cÖwk¶Y, wmwfj †mvmvBwU AM©vbvB‡Rkb †bUIqvK© wgwUs Ges mvsevw`K‡`i m‡PZbZvg~jK Kvh©µ‡gi Av‡qvRb Kiv n‡q _v‡K| wRwcwc Gme Kvh©µ‡gi cvkvcvwk wkï we‡q cÖwZ‡iv‡a we‡klfv‡e KvR Ki‡Q| Gi g‡a¨ wRwcwc Zvi Kg© GjvKvi 120wUi †ewk MÖv‡g wkï we‡q e‡Ü e¨vcK Kvh©µg ïiæ K‡i‡Q|

organizations are Aparajeyo Bangladesh, Association for Community Development, Bangladesh Jatiyo Mohila Ainjibi Shomiti, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), Nari Uddug Kendra, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Rupantar, Samaj Unnayan Prashikshan Kendra, Udayankur Seba Sangstha and Shariatpur Development Society. GPP is working at four levels– individual, socio-cultural, institutional and civil society organization. The individual level activities include karate, life skills, livelihood trainings and providing self-employment assistance to girls and young women. The activities at socio-cultural level include dissemination of information through theatre for development, training on child protection, child rights and gender training to CSOs, local elites etc and creation of girls’ forums. The Institutional level activities involve training on child protection and gender to government officials, organising advocacy workshops and forming child protection groups. In addition to the similar training package the CSOs also receive training on advocacy. Other activities at this level include froming CSO networks, ogranising CSO meeting, media advocacy etc.

BGPA and like-minded networks and organizations decide to work together in stopping child marriage

angladesh Girl Power Alliance (BGPA) held a 5 Ryb mggbv wewfbœ †bUIqvK© I A¨vjv‡qÝ Gi cÖwZwbwa, B dialogue on 5 June, 2014, where representatives of

miKvwi Kg©KZ©ve„›`, mvsevw`Kmn †g‡q wkï I hyev bvix‡`i Dcw¯’wZ‡Z GK gZ wewbgq mfvi Av‡qvRb K‡i evsjv‡`k Mvj© cvIqvi A¨vjv‡qÝ (wewRwcG)| wkï we‡qmn †g‡q wkï I hyev bvixi cÖwZ †RÛviwfwËK mwnsmZvi weiæ‡× mw¤§wjZfv‡e KvR Kivi A½xKv‡i 2012 mv‡j cÖwZwôZ n‡q‡Q wewRwcG| G A¨vjv‡q‡Ý i‡q‡Q Mvj© cvIqvi cÖ‡R± ev¯ÍevqbKvix 11 †emiKvwi Dbœqb ms¯’v: cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k, Aciv‡Rq evsjv‡`k, A¨v‡mvwm‡qkb di KwgDwbwU †W‡fjc‡g›U, evsjv‡`k RvZxq gwnjv AvBbRxex mwgwZ, evsjv‡`k GbwRIm †bUIqvK© di †iwWI A¨vÛ KwgDwb‡Kkb, XvKv AvnQvwbqv wgkb, bvix D‡`¨vM †K›`ª, iƒcvšÍi, mgvR Dbœqb cÖwkÿY †K›`ª, kwiqZcyi 04 Girl Power Newsletter

Mr. Abul Hossain, Joint Secretary and Project Director, Multisectoral Programme for prevention of violence on women, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, expressed solidarity to the participants, and said, “success cannot be attained in such a nationally-important issue like child marriage, if all government and non-government bodies do not work together”

GPP also concerns itself to the prevention of child marriages in their working area covering some 120 villages.

.............................................................................................................................

wkï we‡q e‡Ü mw¤§wjZfv‡e KvR Kivi wm×všÍ wb‡q‡Q wewRwcG mn mggbv wewfbœ †bUIqvK© I msMVb

Rbve Aveyj †nv‡mb, hyM¥ mwPe I cÖKí cwiPvjK, bvix wbh©vZb cÖwZ‡ivaK‡í gvwë†m±ivj †cÖvMÖvg, gwnjv I wkï welqK gš¿Yvjq mevi mv‡_ GKvZ¥Zv cÖKvk K‡i e‡jb, miKvwi I †emiKvwi mKj ms¯’v GK‡RvU n‡q KvR bv Ki‡j wkï we‡q e‡Üi gZ RvZxq ¸iæZ¡cY~ © wel‡q mdjZv AR©b Kiv m¤¢e n‡e bv|

like-minded alliances and networks, government officials, journalists, girl children and young women attended.

BGPA was established in 2012 to work in unison to prevent child marriages and gender-based violence against girls and women. 11 non-government development organizations are part of the alliance: Plan International Bangladesh, Aparajeyo Bangladesh, Association for Community Development, Bangladesh Jatiyo Mohila Ainjibi Shomiti, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), Nari Uddug Kendra, Dhaka Ahsania

†W‡fjc‡g›U †mvmvBwU I D`q¼zi †mev ms¯’v| †g‡q wkï I hyev bvixi †eu‡P _vKv, Dbœqb, wbivcËv I AskMÖn‡Yi AwaKvi wbwðZ Kivi cvkvcvwk Zv‡`i cÖwZ msNwUZ †h †Kv‡bv ai‡bi †RÛviwfwËK mwnsmZvi weiæ‡× ¯’vbxq †_‡K RvZxq ch©v‡q GKwÎZ n‡q wewfbœ Kvh©µg cwiPvjbv Ki‡Q wewRwcG| bZzb †Kv‡bv A¨vjv‡qÝ MVb bv K‡i weivRgvb †bUIqvK©¸‡jvi mv‡_ GK‡RvU n‡q wewRwcG KvR Ki‡Z Pvq| G gZwewbgq mfvq evsjv‡`k Mvj© cvIqvi A¨vjv‡qÝ (wewRwcG)mn †Kvqvwjkb di Avievi cyIi, RvZxq Kb¨vwkï A¨vW‡fv‡Kmx †dvivg, wfKwUg mv‡cvU© †m›Uvi, bvixcÿ, RvZxq gvbevwaKvi A¨vW‡fv‡Kmx †dvivg, cÖwZeÜx bvix‡`i Dbœqb dvD‡Ûkb, evsjv‡`k cÖRb¥ euvPvI Av‡›`vjb, ZiæY mvsevw`K †dvivg, b¨vkbvj I‡gb GÛ PvBì fv‡qv‡jÝ cÖ‡UKkvb KwgwU cÖwZwbwae„›` bvix I wkï myiÿvi †ÿ‡Î Zv‡`i cwiwPwZ I Kvh©µg Zz‡j a‡ib| Dcw¯’Z cÖwZwbwae„›` †g‡q wkï I hyev bvix‡`i myiÿvi †ÿ‡Î mvaviY Kg©KvÛ wPwýZ Kivi cvkvcvwk Ôwkï we‡q eÜÕGi Dci GK‡RvU n‡q KvR Kivi Dci ¸iæZ¡v‡ivc K‡ib| Rbve Aveyj †nv‡mb, hyM¥ mwPe I cÖKí cwiPvjK, bvix wbh©vZb cÖwZ‡ivaK‡í gvwë †m±ivj †cÖvMÖvg, gwnjv I wkï welqK gš¿Yvjq mevi mv‡_ GKvZ¥Zv cÖKvk K‡i e‡jb, miKvwi I †emiKvwi mKj ms¯’v GK‡RvU n‡q KvR bv Ki‡j wkï we‡q e‡Üi gZ RvZxq ¸iæZ¡c~Y© wel‡q mdjZv AR©b Kiv m¤¢e n‡e bv|

Mission, Rupantar, Samaj Unnayan Prashikshan Kendra, Udayankur Seba Sangstha and Shariatpur Development Society. BGPA has carried out various activities to ensure livelihood development, security and rights of participation, as well as preventing any gender-based violence against girls and young women. BGPA intends to work with the existing networks, instead of forming any new alliance. At the discussion, BGPA, Coalition for Urban Poor, Jatiyo Konna Shishu Advocacy Forum, Victim Support Centre, Naripokkho, Jatiyo Manobadhikar Advocacy Forum, Protibondhi Narider Unnayan Foundation, Bangladesh Projonmo Bachao Andolon, Torun Shangbadik Forum and National Women and Child Violence Protection Committee representatives outlined their activities. They emphasized on pointing out general activities to protect girl children and young women, and preventing child marriage. Mr. Abul Hossain, Joint Secretary and Project Director, Multisectoral Programme for prevention of violence on women, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, expressed solidarity to the participants, and said, “success cannot be attained in such a nationally-important issue like child marriage, if all government and non-government bodies do not work together”. Mvj© cvIqvi wbDR‡jUvi 05

AvšÍRv© wZK bvix w`em Av‡qvRb

International Women’s Day Observed

Girl Power Project, Plan International Bangladesh was wkï I hyev bvix, AwffveK, wk¶K, mvsevw`Kmn wewfbœ ¯Í‡ii observed International Women’s Day with children,

ÔAciv‡Rq m¤§vbbv cyi¯‹vi nv‡Z mvsevw`Ke„›` (wcQ‡b `uvov‡bv) cÖavb AwZw_ gvbbxq Z_¨gš¿x nvmvbyj nK Bby (evg †_‡K wØZxq) / Journalists with the Aparajeyo Honor award (standing, back) with Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu (second from left).

Aciv‡Rq m¤§vbbv †c‡jv Three journalists get 3 msev`Kg©x Aparajeyo Honours Award wkï AwaKvi I bvixi cÖwZ mwnsmZv cÖwZ‡iva welqK Aparajeyo Bangladesh has given the Aparajeyo †jLbxi Rb¨ 3 msev`Kg©x‡K ÔAciv‡Rq m¤§vbbv cyi¯‹vi-2014Õ w`‡q‡Q Aciv‡Rq evsjv‡`k| bvix I hyev bvixi cÖwZ mwnsmZv cÖwZ‡iv‡a miKvwi-†emiKvwi Dbœqb ms¯’v Ges MYgva¨‡gi g‡a¨ GKwU wÎ-c¶xq D‡`¨v‡Mi cÖ‡qvRb e‡j gšÍe¨ K‡i‡Qb Z_¨gš¿x nvmvbyj nK Bby| RvZxq †cÖmK¬v‡e mvsevw`K‡`i m¤§vbbv Abyôv‡b wZwb G K_v e‡jb| Mvj© cvIqvi cÖ‡R±-Gi Ab¨Zg ev¯ÍevqbKvix ms¯’v Aciv‡Rq evsjv‡`k wkï AwaKvi I bvixi cÖwZ mwnsmZv cÖwZ‡iva welqK cÖwZ‡e`‡bi Rb¨ mvsevw`K‡`i D‡Ï‡k¨ G m¤§vbbv Abyôv‡bi Av‡qvRb K‡i| G eQi ÔAciv‡Rq m¤§vbbv cyi¯‹vi-2014Õ †c‡q‡Qb Bs‡iwR ˆ`wbK †WBwj ÷v‡ii wmwbqi wi‡cvU©vi Aveyj Kvjvg AvRv`, GwUGb evsjvi wkï mvsevw`K gvgyb eKvIqvj Ges Gwewm †iwWIi wmwbqi wi‡cvU©vi kvnbvR kvigxb| cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k-Gi Kvw›Uª wW‡i±i wmbv‡qZ †R‡eªwMqv‡fi MYgva¨g‡K GKwU kw³kvjx nvwZqvi wn‡m‡e D‡jøL K‡i mvsevw`K‡`i m‡PZbZvg~jK †jLbx evov‡bvi ZvwM` †`b| GQvov bvix I wkï welqK cÖwZ‡e`‡bi d‡jvAv‡ci IciI wZwb ¸iæZ¡v‡ivc K‡ib| Aciv‡Rq evsjv‡`k-Gi wbe©vnx cwiPvjK Iqvwn`v evbyi mÂvjbvq Av‡qvwRZ G Abyôv‡b mvsevw`K‡`i cvkvcvwk Dcw¯’Z wQ‡jb Mvj© cvIqvi cÖ‡R‡±i g¨v‡bRvi †gv. gvmy`, cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k-Gi XvKv †cÖvMÖvg BDwb‡Ui g¨v‡bRvi Gg G gvbœvb Ges cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k g¨v‡bRvi, wdì KwgDwb‡Kkbm kvgxg Avnmvb Lvb|

06 Girl Power Newsletter

Honours Award-2014 to three journalists for write-ups about preventing violence against women. Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, while speaking at the event, said there needs to be a tripartite initiative between government and non-government agencies and the mass media. One of the main facilitating organizations of Girl Power Bangladesh, Aparajeyo Bangladesh organized the event for journalists who have reported on child rights and violence against women. This year, the award went to The Daily Star senior reporter Abul Kalam Azad, ATN Bangla’s juvenile journalist Mamun Bokawal and ABC Radio senior reporter Shahnaz Sharmeen. Sinayet Zebregiyaver, director of Plan International Bangladesh termed the mass media as a strong platform, and urged journalists to write more on awareness issues. He also stressed on follow up of reports on women and children. Executive Director of Aparajeyo Bangladesh conducted the programme, which was attended by Girl Power Project Manager Md. Masud, Plan International Bangladesh’s Dhaka Programme Unit Manager MA Mannan and Plan International Bangladesh Field Manage, Field Communications, Shamim Ahsan Khan.

gvbyl‡K wb‡q AvšÍRv© wZK bvix w`em D`&hvcb K‡i‡Q Mvj© cvIqvi cÖ‡R±, cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k| ÔAMÖMwZi g~j K_v bvix-cyiæl mgZvÕÑ GB cÖwZcv`¨ wb‡q XvKv I jvjgwbinvU †cÖvMÖvg BDwb‡Ui mnvqZvq G‡Kev‡i wfbœ gvÎvq w`em D`&hvcb Kiv nq| jvjgwbinv‡Ui nvwZevÜvq 8 gvP© Av‡qvwRZ Abyôv‡b cÖavb AwZw_ wQ‡jb Dc‡Rjv †Pqvig¨vb †gv. ew`D¾vgvb †fjy| mfvcwZZ¡ K‡ib Dc‡Rjv wbe©vnx Kg©KZ©v gvneyeyi ivngvb| we‡kl AwZw_ wQ‡jb kvn Mwieyjøvn nvB ¯‹z‡ji wk¶K Zweeyi ingvb, Dc‡Rjv cwil‡`i fvBm †Pqvig¨vb G †K Gg AvgRv` †nv‡mb ZvRy, Avwjgy``xb wWwMÖ K‡j‡Ri Aa¨vcK mviIqvi nvqvZ Lvb, cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`‡ki Mvj© cvIqvi cÖ‡R‡±i g¨v‡bRvi †gv. gvmy`, K¨vcvwmwU wewìs †¯úkvwj÷ bRiæj Bmjvg †PŠayix Ges jvjgwbinvU †cÖvMÖvg BDwbU g¨v‡bRvi gvndzRvi ivngvb| Ab¨w`‡K ivRavbxi evDwbqvev` GjvKvq 13 gvP© Mvj© cvIqvi cÖKí Av‡qvwRZ Abyôvb D‡Øvab K‡ib Agi Puvb ewYK, †Rvbvj Gw·wKDwUf Awdmvi, †Rvb 2, XvKv DËi wmwU K‡c©v‡ikb| Abyôv‡b Av‡iv Dcw¯’Z wQ‡jb Gfv‡i÷ weRqx evsjv‡`‡ki cÖ_g bvix wbkvZ gRyg`vi Ges Av‡iK c‡e©vZv‡ivnx Gg G †gvwnZ| bvbv iKg †Ljv Av‡qvR‡bi ga¨ w`‡q bvix-cyiæ‡li gv‡S mgZv, bvixi cÖwZ mwnsmZv BZ¨vw` wel‡q m‡PZbZv m„wó wQ‡jv G Av‡qvR‡bi g~j D‡Ïk¨|

young women, guardians, teachers, journalists and people from all walks of life. The programmes were observed in unique fashion in Dhaka and Lalmonirhat with the theme “Men-women Equality at the Heart of Progress”. The Lalmonirhat event held on 8 March, 2014 at Hatibandha where local Upazila Chairman Md. Bodiuzzaman Bhelu attended as Chief Guest. Special guests were Shah Goribullah High School Teacher Tabibur Rahman, Upzilla Parishad Vice-Chairman AKM Amzad Hossain Taju, Alimuddin Degree College Professor Sawat Hayat Khan, Plan International Bangladesh’s Girl Power Project Manager Mohammad. Masud, Capacity Building Specialist Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and Lalmonirhat Programme Unit Manager Mahfuzur Rahman. Meanwhile, on 13 March, 2014 a programme organized by Girl Power Project at the capital’s Bauniabad was inaugurated by Amar Chand Banik, Zonal Executive Officer, Zone 2, Dhaka North City Corporation of Plan International Bangladesh. Everest-scaling Mountaineers Nishat Mazumdar and MA Mohit were also present. The programme was organized to highlight men-women equality and awareness on violence against women through different games.

.............................................................................................................................

wkï we‡qi weiæ‡× MYgva¨gKg©x‡`i cÖwZ mvgvwRK cÖwZ‡iva M‡o †Zvjvi AvnŸvb

Calls to journalists to begin social movement against child marriage

evsjv‡`‡k cÖvq 64 fvM †g‡q wkï we‡qi wkKvi n‡”Q| hvi Nearly 64% of girls in Bangladesh are falling victim to d‡j Gme †g‡q wkï eq‡mB gv nIqvmn Acywói wkKvi n‡q g…Zy¨SyuwK‡Z co‡Q| Zviv ewÂZ n‡”Q wk¶v MÖnY I cªwZfv weKv‡ki my‡hvM †_‡K| MZ 10 †g ivRkvnx‡Z wkï we‡q †iv‡a MYgva¨gKg©x‡`i f~wgKv kxl©K wi‡d«kvm© Kg©kvjvq GB Z_¨ cªKvk Kiv nq| cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k-Gi Mvj© cvIqvi cÖKí (wRwcwc)-Gi mn‡hvwMZvq evsjv‡`k GbwRIm †bUIqvK© di †iwWI A¨vÛ KwgDwb‡Kkb (weGbGbAviwm) ¯’vbxqfv‡e GB Kg©kvjvi Av‡qvRb K‡i| G‡Z KvwiMwi mnvqZv w`‡q‡Q ivRkvnxi KwgDwbwU †iwWI cÙv Ges A¨v‡mvwm‡qkb di KwgDwbwU †W‡fjc‡g›U (GwmwW)|

child marriage. As a result, they’re undergoing premature maternity, malnutrition and are at a death risk. Besides, they are being deprived of education and a chance to nurture their talents.

The information was revealed at a refreshers workshop in Rajshahi on 10 May, 2014, on the role of mass media in stopping child marriage. Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) organized the workshop locally with assistance from Plan International Bangladesh’s Girl Power Project (GPP). Community Radio Padma and Association for Community Mvj© cvIqvi wbDR‡jUvi 07

wkï we‡q‡iv‡a MYgva¨gKg©x‡`i f~wgKv kxl©K wi‡d«kvm© Kg©kvjvq AvMZ e³iv / Speakers at the workshop on journalists’ roles in preventing child marriage.

Kg©kvjvq cªavb AwZw_ wn‡m‡e RvZxq msm‡`i msiw¶Z bvix Avm‡bi msm` m`m¨ AvKZvi Rvnvb e‡jb, wkï eq‡m †g‡q‡`i we‡q †`qvi gva¨‡g Zv‡`i gvbevwaKvi niY Kiv n‡”Q| wkï we‡q‡iv‡a Avgv‡`i Aek¨B mvgvwRK Av‡›`vjb I cÖwZ‡iva M‡o Zyj‡Z n‡e|

Speaking as chief guest, reserved seat parliamentarian Akhtar Jahan said young girls’ human rights are being violated by marrying them off early. We should all build up a social movement against it.

wkï we‡q cÖwZ‡iv‡a f‚wgKv iv‡L‡Q Dbœqb bvwUKv †gvL‡jmyi ingvb wc›Uz

Theatre for Development is playing a role in preventing child marriage Mokhlesur Rahman Pintu

wkï AwaKvi myiÿv wbwðZKi‡Y †`‡ki Ab¨vb¨ †Rjvi g‡Zv Child marriage is a big challenge in Lalmonirthat like Kg©kvjvq ¯’vbxq 22 Rb MYgva¨gKg©x Ges ¯’vbxq ch©v‡qi miKvwi I †emiKvwi ms¯’vi DaŸ©Zb Kg©KZ©vmn †gvU 40 Rb AskMÖnY K‡ib| Kg©kvjvq cªavb AwZw_ wn‡m‡e RvZxq msm‡`i msiw¶Z bvix Avm‡bi msm` m`m¨ AvKZvi Rvnvb e‡jb, wkï eq‡m †g‡q‡`i we‡q †`qvi gva¨‡g Zv‡`i gvbevwaKvi niY Kiv n‡”Q| wkï we‡q‡iv‡a Avgv‡`i Aek¨B mvgvwRK Av‡›`vjb I cÖwZ‡iva M‡o Zyj‡Z n‡e| we‡kl AwZw_i e³‡e¨ ivRkvnx wek¦we`¨vj‡qi MY‡hvMv‡hvM I mvsevw`KZv wefv‡Mi †Pqvicvm©b Aa¨vcK Zvbfxi Avn¤§` e‡jb, wkï we‡q GKwU gvivZ¥K mvgvwRK Aciva| msev`Kg©x‡`i GB mvgvwRK Aciva m¤ú‡K© RbMY‡K m‡PZb I mRvM K‡i Zyj‡Z n‡e| Abyôv‡b Ab¨v‡b¨i g‡a¨ e³e¨ iv‡Lb ivRkvnx wek¦we`¨vj‡qi MY‡hvMv‡hvM I mvsevw`KZv wefv‡Mi mn‡hvMx Aa¨vcK W. cª`xc Kygvi cv‡Û, GwmwWÕi wbe©vnx m`m¨ W. eveyj Bmjvg, Mvj© cvIqvi cÖ‡R±, weGbGbAviwmÕi Zvgvbœv ingvb, cÖKí mgš^qKvix, evsjv‡`k †eZvi ivRkvnx †K‡›`ªi Dc-cwiPvjK dwi` DÏxb I †Uwjwfkb wi‡cvU©vm© †dviv‡gi AvnŸvqK k. g. mvRy| Abyôvb cwiPvjbv K‡ib †iwWI cÙvÕi cªavb mg¤^qKvix wR. Gg. gyiZyRv| 08 Girl Power Newsletter

Development (ACD) provided technical assistance in it. A total of 40 people, including 22 local journalists, and high officials of local government and non-government bodies, participated in it. Speaking as Chief Guest, Reserved Seat of Parliamentarian Ms Akhtar Jahan said, “Young girls’ human rights are being violated by marrying them off early. We should all build up a social movement against it”. Speaking as Special Guest, the Chairman of Journalism and Mass Communication Department of Rajshahi University Professor Tanvir Ahmed said, ‘Child marriage is a serious social crime. Journalists must make the people aware and alert about it’. Among others, Associate Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism Department, Rajshahi University, Dr. Pradip Kumar Pandey, Executive Member of ACD, Dr. Babul Islam, Girl Power Project’s BNNRC Project Coordinator Tamanna Rahman, Deputy Director of Bangladesh Betar Rajshahi Farid Uddin and TV Reporters Forum Convener SM Shaju. The overall programme was moderated by the Chief Coordinator, Radio Padma Mr. GM Mourtoza.

jvjgwbinv‡UI wkï we‡q GLbI GKwU eo P¨v‡jÄ| wkï we‡q GLvbKvi cªavb mgm¨v n‡jI †`‡ki Ab¨vb¨ A‡ji g‡Zv BfwUwRs, †hŠb nqivbx I cvwievwiK wbh©vZ‡bi NUbv GLv‡b wbZ¨‰bwgwËK e¨vcvi n‡q `uvwo‡q‡Q| G Ae¯’vq cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`‡ki mn‡hvwMZvq iƒcvšÍi 2011 mv‡ji RyjvB gvm †_‡K †Rjvi nvZxevÜv, KvjxMÄ I m`i Dc‡Rjvq ÔMvj© cvIqvi cÖKíÕ ev¯Íevqb Ki‡Q| Gi Ask wn‡m‡e Kg© GjvKvi cÖwZwU BDwbq‡bi MÖvg ch©v‡q Rbmvavi‡Yi g‡a¨ wkï we‡q welqK m‡PZbZv e„w×i Rb¨ bvix cyiæ‡li mgš^‡q Dc‡RjvwfwËK GKwU K‡i w_‡qUvi di †W‡fjc‡g›U (wUGdwW) Dbœqb bvwUKv MÖæc MVb Kiv n‡q‡Q| †h‡nZz G A‡ji cÖavb mgm¨v wkï we‡q, ZvB †m welqwU‡K ¸iæZ¡ w`‡q bvU‡Ki Kvwnbx ˆZwi Kiv nq| bvU‡K wkï we‡qi ¶wZKi w`K¸‡jv Zz‡j aivi cvkvcvwk BfwUwRs I †hŠZz‡Ki ¶wZKi w`K¸‡jv Zz‡j aiv nq| bvUK †`‡L Dcw¯’Z `k©Kiv wkï we‡qi d‡j †g‡q wkï‡`i Rxe‡b Kxfv‡e wbh©vZb ïiæ nq Zv eyS‡Z cv‡i| cÖwZwU bvUK cÖ`k©bxi ïiæi Av‡M Av‡jvPbv mfvq BDwc †Pqvig¨vb, †g¤^vi, ¯’vbxq wk¶K I wmGmI cÖwZwbwaiv Dcw¯’Z †_‡K wkï we‡qi ¶wZKi w`K m¤ú‡K© Av‡jvPbv K‡ib| Dcw¯’Z AwffveK‡`i †Q‡j I †g‡q‡`i wkï we‡q bv †`Iqvi Rb¨ Aby‡iva K‡ib| bvUK †k‡l wdWe¨vK †mk‡b Dcw¯’Z A‡bK AwffveK Zv‡`i †g‡q‡K wkï we‡q †`‡eb bv e‡j cÖwZÁv K‡ib|

other districts, in preserving child rights. Although child marriage has become a common event here, other issues like eve-teasing, sexual harassment, domestic violence etc. have become frequent, like many other regions of the country. Under the circumstances, Rupantor has been implementing the Girl Power Project in the district’s Hatibandha, Kaliganj and Sadar upazilas with assistance from Plan International Bangladesh since 2011. As part of it, upazila-based theatre for development (TFD) groups has been formed to raise awareness on child marriage. Since the major problems of the area surround children, the stories are focused on them. The plays depict the adverse impacts of child marriage, eve teasing and dowry. The audience present at the performance can understand how young girls suffer from assault as a result of child marriage. Before every performance, a discussion is held where the UP chairman, member, local teacher and CSO representatives discuss the harmful impact of child marriage, and request parents to not get their children married prematurely. At the feedback session after the drama, many parents promise not Mvj© cvIqvi wbDR‡jUvi 09

gv‡bvqviv †eMg GKRb M„wnYx| eqm 35| ¯^vgx BDbym Avjx f¨vb PvjK| bvUK †`Lvi c‡i g‡bvqviv †eMg ej‡jb, ÔAvwg I Avgvi †g‡q Bivmn ¯’vbxq Avb›` evRvi gv‡V bvUK †`‡LwQ| bvUK †`‡L Avwg Kvbœv a‡i ivL‡Z cvwiwb| IBLv‡bB Avgvi †g‡q‡K a‡i †K‡u`wQ| Aí eq‡m †g‡q‡`i we‡q w`‡j †h G‡Zv Kó nq Zv bvUK bv †`L‡j eyS‡Z cviZvg bv| ZvB Avwg Iqv`v KiwQ Avwg Avgvi †g‡q‡K Aí eq‡m we‡q †`e bv|Õ nvZxevÜv Dc‡Rjvi bI`vevm BDwbqb cwil‡`i †Pqvig¨vb Wv. G †K Gg dRjyj nK e‡jb, ÔiƒcvšÍ‡ii Av‡qvR‡b bI`vevm BDwbq‡b wZbwU wUGdwW cÖ`k©bx †`‡LwQ| G bvUK †`‡L Avgvi GjvKvi gvbyl m‡PZb n‡”Q| d‡j GLb kZfvM Rb¥ wbeÜb wbwðZ Kiv m¤¢e n‡”Q| GQvov bvUK †`‡L gvbyl wkï we‡qi Kzdj Ges wkï we‡q †`Iqv †h AvBbZ `Ûbxq Aciva, Zv Rvb‡Z cvi‡Q| Gme Kvi‡Y Avgvi GjvKvq wkï we‡q A‡bK K‡g †M‡Q Ges Avgvi GjvKvq BfwUwRs †bB ej‡jB P‡j|Õ †Pqvig¨vb e‡jb, ÔwUGdwW †kv †`‡L Avgvi g‡b n‡qwQj †h, Avwg hw` BDwbq‡bi cwil‡`i c¶ †_‡K GiKg GKwU wUGdwW MÖæc wb‡R MVb Ki‡Z cviZvg Zvn‡j mgvR‡K Av‡iv GwM‡q wb‡q †h‡Z cviZvg|Õ wUGdwW cÖ`k©bx Awfbq K‡ib D‡¤§ BmivZ Rvnvb gwj| wZwb e‡jb, ÔbvUK cÖ`k©bx †k‡l A‡bK `k©K Avgv‡K e‡j‡Q †h, wkï we‡qi d‡j GKwU wkïi †hme mgm¨v I wbh©vZb nq Zvi ev¯Íe Qwe G‡Z dz‡U D‡V‡Q| `k©K‡`i A‡b‡KB e‡j‡Qb Zviv †g‡q‡`i 18 eQ‡ii Av‡M we‡q w`‡eb bv| ZvB Avwg g‡b Kwi wUGdwW cÖ`k©bx †`‡L gvbyl wkï we‡qi Lvivc w`K¸‡jv m¤ú‡K© Rvb‡Z cvi‡Q| hv wkï we‡q eÜ Ki‡Z f~wgKv ivL‡Q|Õ LwZei ingvb bv‡g Av‡iKRb Awf‡bZv ej‡Qb, ÔwUGdwW cÖ`k©bx MÖvg A‡ji gvby‡li Kv‡Q GKw`‡K †hgb we‡bv`‡bi gva¨g, †Zgwb Zviv wkï we‡qi Lvivc w`K m¤ú‡K© m‡PZbI n‡”Q| bvU‡K Avgv‡`i Awfbq †`‡L A‡bK bvix `k©K‡K †Ku‡` †dj‡Z †`‡LwQ|

to marry their kids off at early ages. Monwara Begun is a housewife, aged 35. Her husband Yunus Ali is a van puller. After watching the play, Monwara said “Me and my daughter Ira watched the play with others at the local Ananda Bazar. After watching it, I couldn’t hold my tears. I held my daughter and cried right there. I could never realize how difficult it is for girls who are married off at early ages. Therefore I have promised that I will not marry off my daughter at a young age.” Chairman of Nawdabas UP of Hatibandha upazila Dr. AKM Fazlul Haque said “I have seen three TFD-staged played in Nawdabas. People of my area are being aware from these plays. It is enabling us to register 100% births. People are also getting to know the negative impact of child marriage, and that it is legally punishable. So child marriage and eve-teasing have decreased greatly here.” The chairman further said “After seeing the play, I felt like if I could form a TFD group from the union, I could have taken this society forward.” Umme Israt Jahan Molly acts in a TFD play. She said “Many people who have watched the play have said the difficulties and problems faced due to child marriage have been portrayed in it. Many of them said they won’t marry their daughters off before 18! So I think they are learning from TFD plays about the bad side of child marriage, and it is helping prevent it.” Another Actor Khatibar Rahman said “While the TFD staging are entertainment for the people, it’s also educational. I have seen many women in the audience cry, seeing out play.”

.............................................................................................................................

mvgvwRK cwieZ©‡bi nvwZqvi Mvj© cvIqvi

Girl Power – A Weapon of Social Change

cÖgËv cÙv, †gNbv I KxwZ©bvkvi fvO‡bi mv‡_ msMÖvg K‡i Girl Power – a weapon of

wU‡K Av‡Q kixqZcy‡ii cÖvq 15 jvL gvbyl| wk¶v, wPwKrmv I †hvMv‡hv‡Mi g‡Zv †gŠwjK Pvwn`v †_‡K ewÂZ G †Rjvi cÖvq A‡a©K gvby‡li emevm `yMg© Piv‡j| cÖgËv cÙvi fvO‡bi g‡ZvB G mKj P‡ii AwaKvsk bvixi msmvi fv‡O| wkï we‡q, †hŠZzK Avi bvix wbh©vZb GLv‡bi gvby‡li wPi‡Pbv `„k¨|

river-eroded community

social change for the

Some 1.5 million people of Shariatput fight with the river erosion of Padma, Meghna and Kirtinasha. More than half of the population lives in remote chars, deprived of education, healthcare and communication. Families are often torn apart due by issues like child marriage, dowry and violence against women.

Z‡e hyev bvix I wK‡kvix‡`i mKj cÖKvi mwnsmZv †_‡K myi¶v †`evi j‡¶¨ GmwWGm Zvi cÖwZôvjMœ †_‡KB KvR K‡i Avm‡Q| 2011 mv‡j AvBwmwWAvBÕi Avw_©K mn‡hvwMZvq But SDS has been working since its inception to protect GmwWGm ïiæ K‡i Mvj© cvIqvi bv‡g GKwU cÖKí| `vwi`ª¨, young women and teenage girls. They began a project named Girl Power in 2011, with financial assistance wbi¶iZv, b`x fvOb, ag©xq †Mvuovgx, mvgvwRK Kzms¯‹vimn 10 Girl Power Newsletter

kwiqZcyi †W‡fjc‡g›U †mvmvBwU Av‡qvwRZ ¯’vbxq ch©v‡q wZb gvme¨vcx bvwm©s cÖwk¶‡Yi mgvcbx Abyôv‡b AvMZ AwZw_e„‡›`i mv‡_ mvwU©wd‡KU cÖvß cÖwkÿbv_©xe„›`

Students with certificates alongside guests at the closing ceremony of a three-month nursing training organized by Shariatpur Development Society.

bvbvwea mgm¨vi Ave‡Z© wbgw¾Z Piv‡ji gvby‡li Kv‡Q cÖKíwU n‡q DV‡Q Avkvi Av‡jv| wZb eQ‡ii g‡a¨ GLv‡b G‡m‡Q hyMvšÍKvix cwieZ©b| GLb Mvj© cvIqvi †Kej GKwU cÖKí bq, GwU GLb mgvR cwieZ©‡bi GKwU Ab¨Zg nvwZqv‡i cwiYZ n‡q‡Q| bvixi cÖwZ mngwg©Zv I bvix cyiæ‡li mgZvq wek¦vmx mgv‡Ri †ek wKQz `vwqZ¡kxj gvbyl GKÎ n‡q‡Q Mvj© cvIqv‡ii QÎQvqvq| Avi Zv‡`i mv‡_ †hvM n‡q‡Q wK‡kvix `j, MÖvg myi¶v KwgwU, wK‡kvix K¬ve, ¯‹zj ch©v‡q wK‡kvix †Ljvayjvi `j| BDwbq‡b wkï we‡qi nvZ †_‡K †invB †c‡q‡Q mvwdqv, Z…òv, †iLv, cvbœv, wgbv, †`vjv, dv‡Zgv, k¨vgjx, ivwKev, Lvw`Rv, †mvnvbvmn AšÍZ 130 Rb †g‡q wkï| Mvj© cvIqv‡ii KwgDwbwU †eBRW AM©vbvB‡Rkb (wmweI) I wmwfj †mvmvBwU †eBRW AM©vbvB‡Rkb (wmGmI) KwgwUi AvšÍwiK cÖ‡Póv I ¯’vbxq cÖkvm‡bi mnvqZvq †Rjvi 73 Rb bvix †hŠZz‡Ki wnsmª _vev †_‡K gy³ n‡q‡Q| G‡`i g‡a¨ i‡q‡Q- DËi Zviveywbqvi †`‡jvqviv, `w¶Y Zviveywbqvi nvwjgv, bvivqYcy‡ii mvjgv I Av‡gbvmn AviI A‡b‡K| wkï we‡q cÖ`v‡b mnvqZvi `v‡q PviRb AwffveK Ges `yRb KvRx‡KI wePv‡ii m¤§yLxb n‡Z n‡q‡Q| Avi †hŠb nqivwb ev BfwUwRs‡qi Kvi‡Y wePv‡ii gy‡LvgywL n‡q‡Q 12 Rb eLv‡U hyeK| me wgwj‡q †Rjvi 59wU BDwbqb I 5wU †cŠimfvq wmGmI KwgwUi `vwqZ¡kxj m`m¨‡`i Kg© cÖ‡Póvq G cÖKíwU GLb GKwU mvgvwRK Av‡›`vj‡b iƒc wb‡q‡Q| Z‡e ïay civgk© ev eyw× w`‡qB Mvj© cvIqvi e‡m _v‡Kwb, Zviv mgm¨v mgvav‡bi R‡b¨ cÖ‡qvRbxq c`‡¶c wb‡q‡Q| mvgvwRK mgm¨vi weiæ‡× jovB GwM‡q wb‡Z KvRx I Bgvg‡`i cÖwk¶Y w`‡q wkï we‡q wb‡iva AvBb h_vh_fv‡e AbymiY Kivi R‡b¨ AbycvÖ wYZ K‡i †Zvjv n‡q‡Q| cÖKíwU g‡b K‡i bvix‡K Avw_©Kfv‡e ¯^vejw¤^ Kiv †M‡j bvix wbh©vZ‡bi gvÎv eûjvs‡k K‡g hv‡e| ZvB †Rjvi 21 Rb hyev bvix‡K wZb gvme¨vcx

from ICDI. This project has been a lighthouse to people immersed in poverty, illiteracy, river erosion, religious bigotry, and social superstitions. In three years, it has brought revolutionary change. Girl Power is not just a project, but a weapon for social change. A number of responsible people, who believe in empathy towards women and men-women equal rights, have gathered at the platform of Girl Power. And they’ve been joined by teams, clubs and sports squads of teenage girls and village protection committees. At least 130 children of the union including Safia, Trishna, Rekha, Panna, Meena, Dola, Fatema, Shyamoli, Rakiba, Khadiza and Sohana, have been saved from child marriage. Due to the efforts of Girl Power’s Community Based Organizations (CBO) and Civil Society Based Organization (CSO) and local administration, 73 women have been freed from the curse of dowry. They include Deloara from North Tarabunia, Halima from South Tarabunia, and Mvj© cvIqvi wbDR‡jUvi 11

bvwm©s-Gi Dci cÖwk¶Y w`‡q Zv‡`i Kg©ms¯’v‡bi my‡hvM m„wó K‡i w`‡q‡Q| Zviv GLb msmv‡i †evSv bv n‡q wb‡RivB Avw_©Kfv‡e ¯^vejw¤^ n‡q cwiev‡ii m¤ú‡` cwiYZ n‡q‡Q| bvwm©s cªwk¶Y MÖnYKvix RvwRivi wjgv I dviRvbv ej‡Qb, cªwk¶‡Yi ci KZ©c „ ¶ Avgv‡`i wb‡qvMcÎ cÖ`v‡bi gva¨‡g mnKvwi bvm© wn‡m‡e PvKwi Kivi my‡qvM ˆZwi K‡i †`b| eZ©gv‡b Avgiv _vKv mn gv‡m mv‡o 4 nvRvi UvKv †eZb cvB| Afv‡ei msmv‡i Avgiv GLb Avkvi Av‡jv| cÖK‡íi AvIZvq wK‡kvix‡`i AvZ¥i¶vi Rb¨ †Rjvi mv‡o Pvi‡kv wK‡kvix‡K gvk©vj AvU© (Kviv‡Z) cÖwk¶Y †`qv n‡q‡Q, hviv wb‡R‡`i AvZ¥iÿvq AvZ¥cÖZ¨qx n‡q D‡V‡Q| GQvov †Rjvi 36wU wk¶v cÖwZôv‡b 36wU wK‡kvix K¬ve MVb Kiv n‡q‡Q, hvi gva¨‡g G mKj wK‡kvix dzUej, n¨vÛej, wµ‡KU, e¨vWwg›Ub I KvevwWi g‡Zv †Ljvq my‡hvM cv‡”Q| †Kej Ask wb‡qB Zviv †_‡g _v‡Kwb, G wK‡kvixiv GLb †Rjv I RvZxq ch©v‡q Zv‡`i Aw¯Í‡Z¡i Rvbvb w`‡q wk‡ivcv wQwb‡q Avb‡Q|

Narayanpur’s Salma and Amina. Four guardians and two Kazis have faced trials for child marriage, and 12 young men have faced trials for eve-teasing and sexual harassment. CSO committees’ responsible actions have made it a social movement in 5 municipalities and 59 unions. Lima and Farzana from Jazira who have taken nursing training, said the authorities have arranged for their jobs as nurses after completion of training. They earn 4,500 taka per month, alleviating their poverty. Under the project, 450 girls have been given martial art (karate) training for self defense, and have become confident. Teenage girls clubs have been formed in 36 schools of the district that are getting the scope to play football, handball, cricket, badminton and kabadi. These girls are now competing in the sports at national levels and bringing glory.

.............................................................................................................................

KwgDwbwU †iwWI; RvbœvZz‡ji Rxe‡b bZzb †gvo

Community radio: A new turn in Jannatul’s life

ÔAvgiv hw` bv RvwM gv †Kg‡b mKvj n‡eÕ| †QvU‡ejvq “How will the morning arrive if we don’t wake up” Nygcvov‡bvi mgq KvRx bRiæj Bmjv‡gi GB KweZvwU gv †kvbv‡Zb| gv‡qi gy‡L GB KweZv ïb‡Z Lye fv‡jv jvM‡Zv| gv‡K A‡bKevi ej‡Z ï‡bwQ ÔAvwg †jLvcov wkL‡Z cvwiwb, wKš‘ †Zvgv‡K A‡bK cov‡jLv Ki‡Z n‡e|Õ gv‡qi †mB K_vwU †hgb Av‡`k wQj, †Zgwb †cÖiYv| cwiev‡i Avgiv AvU fvB †evb wQjvg| evev‡K †`‡LwQ Kvi‡Y AKvi‡Y gv‡K gvi‡Z| gv †Kv‡bvw`b wKQz ej‡Zv bv| wbi‡e gvi †LZ Avi Kuv`Z| Avgvi Lye ivM n‡Zv evevi Dci, g‡b Lye †R` n‡Zv| fveZvg GKw`b Avwg eo n‡j PvKwi Ki‡ev msmv‡ii fvi †be| ZLb g‡b n‡Zv evev msmvi Pvjvq e‡jB hv B‡”Q ZvB K‡i| †QvU‡ejv †_‡KB wgwWqvi cÖwZ Avgvi GKUv AvMÖn wQj| evwYwR¨K †iwWI ïbZvg Avi AsK KiZvg| Lye B‡”Q n‡Zv †iwWIi Kgx©‡`i g‡Zv KvR Ki‡Z wKš‘ †mwU Kx K‡i m¤¢e Avgvi Rvbv wQj bv| nVvr K‡iB GKw`b my‡hvM G‡jv KwgDwbwU †iwWI‡Z KvR Kivi| evwo‡Z KvD‡K bv Rvwb‡q Kv‡R †j‡M †Mjvg| KviY Avgvi evev †ckvq Bgvg| Zv‡`i mšÍvb‡`i B”Qv _vK‡jI A‡bK wKQz Ki‡Z †bB| evwoi gvby‡li †_‡K evB‡ii gvby‡li kvmb †ewk| ZeyI Avwg nvj Qvwowb| Ggb †Kv‡bvw`b wQj bv †h Avgv‡K evB‡ii †jv‡Ki K_v ïb‡Z nqwb| wKš‘ ax‡i ax‡i Zviv wbie n‡q †M‡Q| KviY Zviv †`L‡Q Avwg Avm‡j gvby‡li Rb¨B KvR KiwQ| KwgDwbwU †iwWI Avgvi Rxeb cv‡ë w`‡q‡Q| bvix Dbœq‡b KwgDwbwU †iwWI f~wgKv welqK A‡bK cÖwk¶Y †c‡qwQ| 12 Girl Power Newsletter

… my mother used to recite this Kazi Nazrul Islam poem to me every night when I was little. It’s a memory I cherish. My mom often said “I couldn’t get education, but you must go far in that field.” Those were words of inspiration. We were eight siblings in the family. My father used to beat up my mother for no reason. She never said anything, just suffered in silence. I used to get angry at him. I knew he did this because he ran the family. I wanted to do a job and support my family. I was interested in the media from an early age. I used to listen to commercial radio while doing math. I wanted to work in the radio but did not know how to get in. Suddenly I got a chance to work in a community radio. I started without telling anyone in the house. My father is an imam. He would not allow his children to do most things. And people outside the family would try to control us even more. But I didn’t give up. I would have to bear with people’s remarks every day. But gradually, they fell silent. Because they saw I was working for the people. Community radio has changed my life. I have received training on the role of community radio in women’s development. I then went to India to participate in

†iwWI cÖwZ‡e`b ˆZwii Rb¨ bvix‡`i mvÿvrKvi wb‡”Qb RvbœvZzj / Interviewing the local women by Jannatul for radio programme

KwgDwbwU †iwWI bjZvi GKRb †¯^”Qv‡meK †_‡K GLb Avwg KwgwbDwU †iwWI cÖMwZi †÷kb g¨v‡bRvi| wb‡Ri Rxeb †_‡K †`‡LwQ bvix wbh©vZb, wkï we‡q, †hŠZzK, bvix mwnsmZv G¸‡jv KZ hš¿Yv †`q| Avwg bvix welqK Abyôv‡b †Póv K‡iwQ bvix‡`i K_v Zz‡j ai‡Z| Gici Avwg fvi‡Z wM‡q BwZevPK mvgvwRK cweeZ©‡b bvix‡`i AskMÖnY wel‡q cÖwk¶‡Y Ask wb‡qwQ, hv KwgDwbwU †iwWIi Kvi‡YB m¤¢e n‡q‡Q| Avwg †iwWI‡Z bvix‡`i wb‡q KvR Kwi †R‡b GKwU †emiKvwi ms¯’v Avgv‡K †bcvj Ges wdbj¨v‡Û cvwV‡q‡Q bvix Dbœq‡b BwZevPK cÖwk¶‡Yi Rb¨| KwgDwbwU †iwWI bjZvi GKRb †¯^”Qv‡meK †_‡K GLb Avwg KwgDwbwU †iwWI cÖMwZi †÷kb g¨v‡bRvi| wb‡Ri Rxeb †_‡K †`‡LwQ bvix wbh©vZb, wkï we‡q, †hŠZzK, bvix mwnsmZv G¸‡jv KZ hš¿Yv †`q| Avwg bvix welqK Abyôv‡b †Póv K‡iwQ bvix‡`i K_v Zz‡j ai‡Z| Avgvi g‡b nq bvix AwaKvi wb‡q hZ †ewk Av‡jvPbv n‡e, ZZB UbK bo‡e mevi| †mB Rb¨ MYgva¨g‡KB †ewk GwM‡q Avm‡Z n‡e| KZ Aí mgq Avgiv KwgDwbwU †iwWI‡Z bvix welqK Abyôvb cÖPvi Kwi, Zv‡ZB †h mvdj¨ †c‡qwQ Zv‡Z Av‡iv †ewk GiKg Abyôvb n‡j mgv‡Ri wfwËg~‡j †h eo ai‡bi AvNvZ Avm‡e, GKUv eo ai‡bi cwieZ©b Avm‡e, †m wel‡q Avgvi AšÍZ †Kv‡bv m‡›`n †bB| Avm‡j RvM‡Z n‡e Avgv‡`iB, bB‡j iv‡Zi Avuavi KvU‡e bv, †fvi n‡e bv|

From a volunteer at community radio Nalta, I am now a station manager of community radio Progoti. I have seen from personal experience how much pain violence against women, child marriage and dowry can cause. I try to portray women’s stories in my programs. training on women’s participation in positive social change that was also possible due to community radio. An organization, after finding out I work for women on radio, sent me to Nepal and Finland to get positive trainings. From a volunteer at community radio Nalta, I am now a station manager of community radio Progoti. I have seen from personal experience how much pain violence against women, child marriage and dowry can cause. I try to portray women’s stories in my programmes. I think the more women’s rights are discussed, the more it’s noticed. That’s why the mass media has to come forward. With the success we have from such little airtime on community radio, if we can expand it there will be an impact at the root of the society, bringing about a big change. If we don’t wake up, the dawn will not come. Mvj© cvIqvi wbDR‡jUvi 13

AvZ¥cÖZ¨qx mvevbv

the Girl Power Project of Bangladesh Jatiyo Mohila Ainjibi Shomiti. She thought she could protect herself if she learned it.

Confident Shabana

mvevbv Av³v‡ii Rb¥ ivRavbxi wgicy‡ii gymwjg K¨v‡¤ú| Shabana Akhter was born in the Mirpur Muslim wcZv †gv. `xb Bmjvg ¯’vbxq KuvPv evRv‡i mewR wewµ K‡ib| UvbvUvwbi msmvi| gv M„wnYx| Zviv Qq fvB‡evb| †Q‡j †g‡q‡`i †jLvcov Kiv‡Z cv‡ibwb| wKš‘ mvevbv wb‡Ri D‡`¨v‡M K¨v‡¤úi Ab¨vb¨ †Q‡j-†g‡q‡K cwo‡q wUDkwbi UvKvq wb‡Ri covi LiP Rywy M‡q GmGmwm cvm K‡i‡Qb| evsjv‡`k RvZxq gwnjv AvBbRxex mwgwZi m‡½ mvevbvi cwiPq N‡U Mvj© cvIqvi cÖK‡íi Rxeb `¶Zv cÖwk¶‡Yi g‡a¨ w`‡q| Gici gwnjv AvBbRxex mwgwZi wewfbœ Kg©mw~ P‡Z Ask wb‡q Zvi †fZ‡i m„wó nq bZzb DÏxcbv| Pjvi c‡_ ew¯Íi eLv‡U †Q‡jiv bvbvfv‡e e¨vNvZ m„wó KiZ| gv‡S g‡a¨ wb‡R‡K Lye Amnvq g‡b nZ| Ggb mgq evsjv‡`k RvZxq gwnjv AvBbRxex mwgwZi Mvj© cvIqvi cÖK‡íi gva¨‡g Kviv‡U cÖwk¶Y MÖn‡Yi my‡hvM nq Zvi| mvevbv fv‡eb, Kviv‡U cÖwk¶Y wb‡Z cvi‡j wb‡R‡K i¶v Ki‡Z cvi‡eb| mvevbv wbqwgZ Kviv‡U cÖwk¶Y wb‡Z _v‡Kb| cÖwk¶Y †bIqvi ci wb‡R‡K i¶v Kivi †KŠkj iß K‡ib Ges G‡Z Zvi g‡bvej †e‡o hvq A‡bK| ïiæ nq be DϨ‡g c_ Pjv| wgicyi 11 b¤^‡i †ejvj Avn‡¤§` K‡j‡R covïbv ïiæ K‡i GBP Gm wm cix¶v †`b Ges wRwcG-4.50 †c‡q DËxY© nb| gv‡S g‡a¨ eLv‡U †Q‡jiv evav m„wó Ki‡Z PvB‡j mvevbv †mB evav D‡c¶v K‡i `„p g‡bvej wb‡q Pj‡Z _v‡Kb|

camp in the capital. Her father Md. Deen Islam was a vegetable seller in the local kitchen market. The six-sibling family with a housewife mother was in financial strife often. Shabana, on her own initiative, tutored other children at the camp to support her own education to complete SSC. Shabana’s introduction to Bangladesh Jatiyo Mohila Ainjibi Shomiti happened through the Girl Power Project’s Life Skills training. Through the activities of the Shomiti, there was a new enthusiasm in her.

Unruly slum boys often disturbed her on her commute. She felt helpless. Then, she got a scope to learn karate under

Shabana continued to take karate trainings. She then adopted techniques to protect herself, and it increased her self-belief. She found a new enthusiasm. She started studying at the Belal Ahmed College in Mirpur 11, and completed HSC with a GPA of 4.5. When those unscrupulous boys tried to obstruct her, she brushed them off and continued confidently.

Kviv‡U cÖwk¶Y †bIqvi ci GLb wZwb A‡bK AvZ¥wek¦vmx| Zv‡K GLb GjvKvevmx mvnmx I AvZ¥cÖZ¨qx wn‡m‡e †P‡b| mvevbv wb‡Ri AvZ¥wek¦vm cÖm‡½ e‡jb, ÔAvwg GLb ¯^vaxbfv‡e Pjv‡div Ki‡Z fq cvB bv| A‡bK †ewk wbivc` †eva Kwi| mvevbv ïay Zvi e¨w³MZ Rxe‡biB Dbœqb K‡ibwb, eis Zvi wk¶v, `¶Zv‡K Qwo‡q w`‡Z e×cwiKi| GiB g‡a¨ wZwb gymwjg K¨v‡¤úi AvURb †g‡q‡K Kviv‡U cÖwk¶Y w`‡q‡Qb| K¨v‡¤ú Kviv‡U cÖwk¶Y †`qvi g‡Zv ch©vß RvqMv bv _vKvq wZwb †ewk msL¨K †g‡q‡K cÖwk¶Y w`‡Z cv‡ibwb| Zvi Lye B”Qv Ab¨ †g‡qivI Gfv‡e Kviv‡U cÖwk¶Y wb‡q fq‡K Rq Ki‡e|

After the karate training, she is much more confident. People in her area know her as courageous. On her confidence, Shabana said “I’m not scared to move about independently. I feel much safer than before. I can protect myself if two-three guys attack me.” Shabana has not just developed herself, but is determined to spread her knowledge and skill. She has already given karate training to eight girls in the Muslim camp. She could not train more due to space constraints. She hopes more girls will receive training and overcome their fears.

.............................................................................................................................

Kviv‡U cÖwk¶Y †bIqvi ci GLb wZwb A‡bK AvZ¥wek¦vmx| Zv‡K GLb GjvKvevmx mvnmx I AvZ¥cÖZ¨qx wn‡m‡e †P‡b| mvevbv wb‡Ri AvZ¥wek¦vm cÖm‡½ e‡jb, ÔAvwg GLb ¯^vaxbfv‡e Pjv‡div Ki‡Z fq cvB bv| A‡bK †ewk wbivc` †eva Kwi| 2-3 Rb †Q‡j Avgv‡K AvµgY Ki‡jI wb‡R‡K i¶v Kivi ¶gZv Avgvi Av‡Q|Õ

After the karate training, she is much more confident. People in her area know her as courageous. On her confidence, Shabana said ‘I’m not scared to move about independently. I feel much safer than before. I can protect myself if two-three guys attack me.’

14 Girl Power Newsletter

`ªæZZg gvbex nevi ¯^cœ †`‡Lb SY©v

Jhorna dreams of becoming fastest woman

†gv. AvbIqviæj Bmjvg

Md. Anwarul Islam

Jhorna Akhter hails from Bamnabamni village of bxjdvgvix †Rjvi RjXvKv Dc‡Rjvi evgbvevgwb MÖv‡gi Joldhaka upazila from Nilphamari. She is an active †g‡q SY©v Av³vi| D`qv¼zi †mev ms¯’v (BDGmGm)-Gi Mvj© cvIqvi cÖK‡íi LyUvgviv †g‡q wkï I hyev bvix †dviv‡gi GKRb mwµq m`m¨| Zvi mncvVx‡`i A‡b‡K wkï we‡qi wkKvi n‡q‡Qb| `yÕeQi Av‡M ZviI we‡q n‡Z e‡mwQj| wKš‘ wek¦vmx SY©v hyev bvix †dvivg I wkï `‡ji mn‡hvwMZvq †m we‡q †f‡½ w`‡Z m¶g nb| †jLvcov wk‡L eo nIqv hvi A`g¨ evmbv, Zv‡K †h †KD AvU‡K ivL‡Z cv‡i bv, SY©v Zvi Abb¨ D`vniY|

SY©v †QvU‡ejv †_‡K wQ‡jb M¤¢xi cÖKw… Zi| gvby‡li mv‡_ Kg wgk‡Zb| wKš‘ wRwcwc cÖK‡íi AvIZvq G‡m Rxeb `¶Zv cÖwk¶Y †c‡q Zvi gvbwmK cwieZ©b N‡U| N‡U Zvi †gavi weKvk, d‡j wZwb gvby‡li mv‡_ wgk‡Z ïiæ K‡ib| mgeqmx‡`i mv‡_ AvÇvq †g‡Z I‡Vb| G †hb Av‡iK SY©v| GK mgq wb‡Ri †fZ‡i ¸wU‡q _vKv SY©v GLb †jLvcovi cvkvcvwk GjvKvq wkï we‡q cÖwZ‡iv‡a mwµq f~wgKv cvjb K‡i Avm‡Qb|

member of Udayankar Shebe Sangstha (USS) Girl Power Project’s (GPP) Khutamara girl children and young women’s forum. Many of her classmates have fallen victim to child marriage. She was also supposed to be married two years ago. But a strong-willed Jhorna, with help from the forum, managed to squander it. She is a prime example that those who want to study and develop themselves, no one can stop them. Jhorna used to be reserved in nature from her childhood, and did not mix with many people. But her personality changed under the life skills training at GPP. Her talents flourished, and she socialized more. It was a new Jhorna. The once self-centered girl now plays active roles in preventing child marriages. Mvj© cvIqvi wbDR‡jUvi 15

MZ 14 Rvbyqvwi iscyi wefvMxq ch©v‡q P¨vw¤úqb n‡q mevB‡K ZvK jvwM‡q †`b SY©v| wKQzw`b ci XvKvq Aby‡ôq RvZxq ch©v‡q cÖwZ‡hvwMZvq Ask †b‡eb| AvZ¥wek¦vmx SY©v †mLv‡bI cÖ_g n‡Z Pvb| n‡Z Pvb evsjv‡`‡ki `ªæZZg gvbex| RvZxq ch©v‡q ¯^Y© wR‡Z Zvi j¶¨ mvd †Mg‡m ¯^Y© Rq Kiv|

Jhorna surprised everyone by winning at the divisional level this January. She is scheduled to participate in the national contest soon. Jhorna is confident of winning it too, and targets to be Bangladesh’s fastest woman and win SAFF Games gold.

AvšÍt¯‹j z gv`ªvmv µxov cÖwZ‡hvwMZvq 2012 mvj †_‡K 2014 Jhorna has been the champion in inter-school 100 mvj ch©šÍ Uvbv wZb eQi 100 wgUvi I 200 wgUvi †`Šo Ges and 200 meters sprint for three years straight from j‡ç Dc‡Rjv I †Rjv ch©v‡q P¨vw¤úqb n‡q‡Qb| 2012, and at upazila and district level in long jump. MZ 14 Rvbyqvwi iscyi wefvMxq ch©v‡q P¨vw¤úqb n‡q mevB‡K ZvK jvwM‡q †`b SY©v| wKQzw`b ci XvKvq Aby‡ôq RvZxq ch©v‡q cÖwZ‡hvwMZvq Ask †b‡eb| AvZ¥wek¦vmx SY©v †mLv‡bI cÖ_g n‡Z Pvb| n‡Z Pvb evsjv‡`‡ki `ªæZZg gvbex| RvZxq ch©v‡q ¯^Y© wR‡Z Zvi j¶¨ mvd †Mg‡m ¯^Y© Rq Kiv| my‡hvM †c‡j we‡KGmwc‡Z fwZ© n‡q GKRb fv‡jv G¨v_‡jU nevi ¯^cœ Zvi| GQvov dzUej I wµ‡K‡UI Zvi AvMÖn †ek|

Jhorna surprised everyone by winning at the divisional level this January. She is scheduled to participate in the national contest soon. Jhorna is confident of winning it too, and targets to be Bangladesh’s fastest woman and win SAFF Games gold. She dreams of becoming a good athlete, getting admitted to BKSP. She also has interest in cricket and football.

wmwfj †mvmvBwU AM©vbvB‡Rkb (wmGmI), †g‡q I hyev bvix †dvivg, wmwcwR, Kviv‡Z `j, wUGdwW wUg Ges b„Z¨`‡ji 195 Rb m`‡m¨i mv‡_ wewfbœ †kÖYx-†ckvi cªwZwbwa Ges miKvwi- †emiKvwi ms¯’vi Av‡iv 61 Rb AwZw_ Ask †bb, hviv Mvj© cvIqvi cª‡R‡±i Kvh©µg ev¯Íevq‡b cÖZ¨¶ I c‡iv¶fv‡e wbR wbR Ae¯’vb †_‡K mwµq f~wgKv ivL‡Qb|

Kb‡fbk‡b wmwfj †mvmvBwU AM©vbvB‡Rkb (wmGmI), †g‡q I hyev bvix †dvivg, wmwcwR, Kviv‡Z `j, wUGdwW wUg Ges b„Z¨`‡ji 195 Rb m`‡m¨i mv‡_ wewfbœ †kÖwY-†ckvi cªwZwbwa Ges miKvwi-†emiKvwi ms¯’vi Av‡iv 61 Rb AwZw_ Ask †bb, hviv Mvj© cvIqvi cª‡R‡±i Kvh©µg ev¯Íevq‡b cÖZ¨¶ I c‡iv¶fv‡e wbR wbR Ae¯’vb †_‡K mwµq f~wgKv ivL‡Qb| Kb‡fbk‡b mgv‡R bvixi Ae¯’vb wel‡q cÖeÜ cvV, Mvj© cvIqvi cÖK‡íi Kvh©µg, †g‡q I hyev bvix †dviv‡gi m`m¨‡`i AvZ¥K_b QvovI cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k-Gi cwiwPwZ I msw¶ß Kvh©µg, XvKv AvnQvwbqv wgkb-Gi cwiwPwZ I msw¶ß Kvh©µg Zz‡j aiv nq| mvs¯‹w… ZK Abyôvb c‡e© wQj †`kvZ¥‡evaK Mvb, b„Z¨ Ges †hŠZzK, wkï we‡q, bvix wbh©vZb I bvixi ¶gZvqb wel‡q bvwUKv Ges †mB mv‡_ wQj bvix‡`i AvZ¥i¶vq Kviv‡Z cÖ`k©b|

195 members of CSO, girls’ and young women’s forum, CPG, karate team, TFD team and dance team were joined by 61 guests who have played direct or indirect roles in implementing the GPP.

195 members of CSO, girls’ and young women’s forum, Child Protection Group (CPG), karate team, TFD team and dance team were joined by 61 guests who have played direct or indirect roles in implementing the GPP. The convention featured reading of papers on women’s position in society, activities of GPP, speeches by girls’ and young women’s forum and Plan International Bangladesh and Dhaka Ahsania Mission’s introduction and activities. The cultural programme featured patriotic songs, dance and brief plays about dowry, child marriage, violence against women and women’s empowerment, and a karate demonstration.

.............................................................................................................................

†g‡q wkï I hyev bvix Kb‡fbkb

Girls’ and young women’s convention

†gv. kwidzj nK

Md. Shariful Haq

Mv

Under the Girl Power Project (GPP), an annual girls’

j© cvIqvi cª‡R‡±i AvIZvq wmwfj †mvmvBwU AM©vbvB‡Rkb (wmGmI) †bUIqvK© Ges †g‡q I hyev bvix †dvivg kªxcyi, MvRxcy‡ii Av‡qvR‡b n‡q †M‡jv †g‡q I hyev bvix evwl©K Kb‡fbkb 2013| XvKv AvnQvwbqv wgkb I cø¨vb B›Uvib¨vkbvj evsjv‡`k-Gi mn‡hvwMZvq MZ eQ‡ii 6 Ryb MvRxcy‡ii kÖxcyi Dc‡Rjv wgjbvqZ‡b G Kb‡fbkb AbywôZ nq| Dc‡Rjv wbe©vnx Kg©KZ©v †gv. AvRxR nvq`vi f~Bqv Kb‡fbk‡b mfvcwZZ¡ K‡ib| cÖavb AwZw_ wn‡m‡e kÖxcyi Dc‡Rjv cwil` †Pqvig¨vb BKevj †nv‡mb mey‡Ri Dcw¯’Z _vKevi K_v _vK‡jI †kl gyn‡~ Z© Riæwi cÖ‡qvR‡b wZwb Abyôv‡b †hvM w`‡Z cv‡ibwb| Z‡e †Uwj‡dv‡b ï‡f”Qv Rvwb‡q Kb‡fbk‡bi m‡½ GKvZ¥Zv cÖKvk K‡ib| 16 Girl Power Newsletter

and young women’s annual convention was organized by Civil society organization (CSO) and girls’ and young women’s forum, Sripur, Gaziupr. The convention was held on June 6 last year at Gazipur’s Sripur Upazila auditorium, with assistance from Plan International Bangladesh and Dhaka Ahsania Mission. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Aziz Haider Bhuiyan chaired the convention. Chief Guest was supposed to be Sripur upozila parishad chairman Iqbal Hossain Sabuj, but he had to express support to the convention over phone as he could not make it last minute. Mvj© cvIqvi wbDR‡jUvi 17

†bUIqvK© KwgwUi GKR‡bi mv‡_| Zvi welqUv wb‡q †Kv-AwW©‡bkb wgwUs‡q Av‡jvPbv nq| Ggwb‡Z eqm Kg Zvi g‡a¨ cÖwZewÜ mšÍvbwUi wPwKrmv LiP, LvIqv-_vKvi LiP †gUv‡bv mv_xi Rb¨ LyeB KóKi| KwgwU‡Z Zvi welqwU wb‡q Av‡jvPbv nq †h, †mjvB‡qi KvR wkL‡j wb‡R wKQz DcvR©b Ki‡Z cvi‡eb, mšÍv‡bi wPwKrmv LiP Pvjv‡Z cvi‡eb Ges cÖwZeÜx ¯‹‡z j mšÍvb‡K fwZ© Ki‡Z cvi‡eb| GB cÖK‡íi AvIZvq mv_xmn GiKg AviI AvURb‡K GK gvme¨vcx †mjvB cÖwk¶Y †`Iqv nq| cÖwk¶Y †k‡l 2011 mv‡j †mjvB †gwkbmn †gwk‡bi cÖ‡qvRbxq miÄvgvw` Zz‡j †`Iqv nq Zv‡`i nv‡Z| GLb mv_x fv‡jv Av‡Qb| cÖwZeÜx mšÍvbwU‡K XvKvq GKRb eo Wv³v‡ii wPwKrmvq †i‡L‡Qb| cÖwZ gv‡m GKevi wb‡q †h‡Z nq| Wv³vi wKQz Ilya I e¨vqvg w`‡q‡Qb Ges we‡kl GK ai‡bi RyZv ci‡Z w`‡q‡Qb| cÖwZeÜx‡`i emvi †Pqvi †UwejI| mv_x GLb evRv‡ii `yÕwZbwU †`vKvb †_‡K AW©vi wb‡q GKmv‡_ `yBk wcm K‡i Kvco ˆZwi K‡i †`b Ges GjvKvi gvby‡li Kvco †mjvB K‡i †ek fv‡jv Avq K‡ib|

under the Dhaka Ahsania Mission. Her matter was discussed in a coordination meeting. Since she was very young, bearing the living and treatment costs of her challenged son. The committee concluded that if Sathi learns some sewing work, she may start earning enough money to pay for food, treatment and education for her son. A total of eight people, including Sathi, were given month-long sewing training.

ej‡jb, wb‡Ri †mjvB †gwk‡b †mjvB Kwi| hLb Lywk †Q‡j‡K wb‡q Wv³v‡ii Kv‡Q hvB| Ii LiPUv Pvjv‡Z cvwi| ¯‹z‡jI w`‡Z cvie| Avi GUvB Avgvi Kv‡Q me PvB‡Z fv‡jv jv‡M †h, Avwg I‡K Jla I e¨vqv‡gi miÄvg mgqg‡Zv wK‡b w`‡Z cvwi| Z‡e mv_xi B”Qv evRv‡ii g‡a¨ wb‡Ri GKUv Kvc‡oi †`vKvb †`qv †hLv‡b Zvi g‡Zv AviI `y wZbRb †g‡q‡K ivLv, hv‡Z Zvi mnvqZvq Ab¨ †g‡qivI wb‡Ri cv‡q `vuov‡Z cv‡i|

She says “I sew on my own machine. I can take my son to the doctor on my schedule. I can bear his expenses. I will also be able to put him through school. And that is the greatest feeling for me, that I can buy his medicines and exercise equipments on time.”

After the training, sewing machine and other necessary logistics were handed to them, in 2011. Sathi is doing better now. Her son is now being treated by a well-known doctor in Dhaka, who Sathi visits once a month. The doctor has prescribed medicines and some exercises, and given him special kind of shoes, and specially-designed chair and table too. Sathi now takes orders from a couple of shops from the bazaar, and makes two hundred pieces of clothing at a time, and is earning a good sum from making clothes for people of her area.

mv_x wRwcwc cÖ`Ë †mjvB †gwk‡b †mjvB Ki‡Q Avi cv‡k Zvi cÖwZeÜx mš—vbwU / Sathi is in sewing; her physically challenged boy is seen

¯^vej¤^x mv_xÕi Mí

Self Dependant Sathi’s story

Mv

Farzana Akhter Sathi is from Hajitola village of

Rxcy‡ii †hvMxZjv MÖv‡gi †g‡q dviRvbv Av³vi mv_x| cQ›` K‡i we‡q K‡iwQ‡jb kvgmyi ingvb‡K| ZLb `yRbvi cwievi G we‡q †g‡b †bqwb| dviRvbv wQ‡jb wbgœga¨weË cwiev‡ii †g‡q| evev gv †g‡q‡K evwo †_‡K †ei K‡i †`b| wbiæcvq mv_x †Kv‡bv K‚j-wKbviv Ly‡u R bv †c‡q ¯^vgxmn Avjv`v GKwU Ni fvov †bb| ¯^vgx gUi cvU©m wewµi †`vKv‡b PvKwi K‡ib| hv Avq K‡ib, Zv w`‡q †U‡bUz‡b msmvi P‡j| we‡qi wZb eQ‡ii gv_vq GKwU mšÍvb Rb¥ †`b mv_x| †Q‡j mšÍvbwU n‡qwQj kvwiixKfv‡e cÖwZeÜx| Kó AviI †e‡o †M‡jv mv_xi| Mf©Kvjxb eqm Kg wQj, Zvi Dci gvbwmK Aw¯’iZv, LvIqv-_vKvi `yie¯’v, Mf©Kvjxb wPwKrmv †mev bv cvIqv, ch©vß cwigvY Nyg bv nIqv wQ‡jv Zvi GB cwiYwZi g~j KviY| UvKvi Afv‡e Kgeqmx mv_x MÖv‡gi evwoi GKUz `~‡i ¯’vbxq GKwU wK¬wb‡K cÖwk¶YcÖvß bq Ggb avÎx w`‡q mšÍvb cÖme Kivb| mvivw`b cÖme hš¿Yvq KvZiv‡bvi ci R‡b¥i mv‡_-mv‡_ †evSv bv †M‡jI `y wZb gvm ci mv_x eyS‡Z cv‡ib Zvi mšÍv‡bi cv‡q I gy‡L mgm¨v| wKš‘ kvwiixK cªwZeÜx mšÍvb‡K fv‡jv GKRb Wv³vi †`Lv‡bvi g‡Zv Zvi mvg_¨© wQj bv| GiKg `ytLK‡ó mv_x hLb cÖvq w`‡knviv, ZLbB cwiPq nq XvKv AvnQvwbqv wgk‡bi Mvj© cvIqvi cÖK‡íi wm.Gm.I 18 Girl Power Newsletter

Gazipur . She married Shamsur Rahman by her own choice, which their families did not accept. Farzana’s lower-middle class family evicted her from the house, and she was forced to rent a small house with her husband. The couple barely lived by the meager income of Shamsur, who worked at a motor parts sales centre. Sathi gave birth to her first child three years after marriage. The son was physically challenged, worsening Sathi’s woes. It was all a result of early maternity, mental stress, poor living conditions, no pregnancy-time healthcare and sleep-deprivation. Due to lack of funds, Sathi had her delivery done by an untrained midwife from a local clinic, and she has suffered from pain all day before the delivery. Two-three months after birth, Sathi began to realize her son had problems in the mouth and leg. But because she didn’t have, she couldn’t consult a good doctor. When her life was in such tatters, Sathi met a person from the CSO network of the Girl Power Project

But Sathi’s wish is to take a shop of her own at the bazaar, where she can employ a few other girls too, so that they can also be self-dependent like her. Mvj© cvIqvi wbDR‡jUvi 19