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শিশু একাডেমিতে আন্তর্জাতিক কন্যাশিশু দিবসের আলোচনা সভায় রাষ্ট্রপতি মির্জা ফখরুল ইসলাম আলমগীর
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for the rigorous enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy to curb violence and sexual harassment against girl children, emphasizing the guarantee of their safety, equal rights, and dignity.
Addressing a discussion event at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy marking International Day of the Girl Child 2026 on Monday (October 12), the President stressed that safety for girls must be ensured comprehensively—from school commutes and classroom premises to digital spaces and social media platforms. He underscored that incidents involving violence, rape, and harassment against women and children demand swift investigations, effective trials, and strict legal enforcement, asserting that zero tolerance remains non-negotiable.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum (NGCAF) jointly organized the discussion and cultural program, presided over by Minister for Women and Children Affairs Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain.
The President noted that the foremost imperative for girls' welfare is cultivating a positive transformation in social attitudes. He urged families to treat boys and girls equally, create pathways for girls' aspirations, and view daughters as boundless potential rather than financial burdens. Highlighting achievements such as the Bangladesh national women's football team's international successes and Nishat Majumdar’s ascent of Mount Everest, he urged parents to invest in education and personal development rather than prioritizing wedding savings.
Pointing to this year’s theme, "No More Child Marriage, Girls Will Conquer the World" (Shishu Biye Ar Noy, Kanya Korbe Bishwojoy), the President cautioned that child marriage truncates childhood, interrupts education, and brings serious health risks, economic dependency, and vulnerability to domestic abuse. He urged the establishment of adolescent-friendly mental health services across upazilas alongside awareness drives for emergency helplines.
Addressing young girls directly, the President urged them to pursue education, develop skills, and learn martial arts for self-defense, reminding them to report any form of harassment to trusted guardians, educators, or law enforcement. He also recalled former prime minister Khaleda Zia's pioneering contributions to female stipends and tuition-free female education, noting that the political commitment of the incumbent administration remains pivotal for women's development.
State Minister Farzana Sharmin and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member and MP Selima Rahman addressed the event as special guests. Key contributions were also delivered by Country Director of The Hunger Project Bangladesh Prashanta Tripura, Women and Children Affairs Secretary Rowshan Ara Begum, and NGCAF Vice President Shaheen Akhter, following a welcome address by Director General of the Department of Women Affairs Shayla Sharmin Zaman.
https://thedailyexpress.news/news/national/President-Demands-Zero-Tolerance-on-Violence-Against-Girls