To uphold girls' rights, ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, along with 10 dignitaries signed a commitment yesterday that included providing necessary actions and investments for girls, opening up more pathways to pursue their leadership ambitions, and supporting people working on overturning oppressive gender norms and systems. The commitment was taken at an event titled "Redefining Girl Talk", organised by Save the Children at a city hotel, on the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child. The theme for this year's IDG is "Our time is now -- our rights, our future". 

Palak assured that the School of Future established in various parliamentary constituencies will be inaugurated soon, he said. Adolescent girls from different communities also shared the discrimination they face inside their families and society.



A drama by child advocates followed by a presentation on some key findings from adolescent consultations in focus groups was also shared at the event. Javed Patel, deputy high commissioner of British High Commission in Dhaka; Maria Stridsmen, counsellor, Embassy of Sweden; Kristine Blokhus, country representative of UNFPA in Bangladesh; Shamima Akhter, head of corporate affairs of Unilever Bangladesh; Dr Tania Haque, professor, Department of Women and Gender Studies, Dhaka University; and country director of Save the Children in Bangladesh-Onno van Manen joined the event.

The event was moderated by Reefat Bin Sattar, director of programme development and quality, at Save The Children.