An exceptional public meeting was held in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, to assess and recognize women's unpaid domestic work, address the adverse effects of climate change, and end child marriage.
The meeting was organized by the NGO 'Leaders' with the support of Manusher Jonna Foundation (MJF) and the Embassy of Sweden. The meeting was held under the 'Community-Based Climate Resilience and Women's Empowerment Program - CREA' project.
The rally, held at the Shyamnagar Muktijoddha Complex building on Monday (August 25) morning, was presided over by freedom fighter Master Alhaj Nazrul Islam. Shyamnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Roni Khatun was present as the chief guest.
Chief guest Roni Khatun emphasized on the need for collective efforts to address the crisis caused by climate change. She said that the impact of climate change affects women and children the most. Therefore, we all need to be aware of their protection. She called for recognizing the economic value of women's unpaid domestic work and building a social movement to stop child marriage.
At the rally, freedom fighter Master Alhaj Nazrul Islam said that although climate change is a global problem, its solution is possible through the participation of people at the local level. He also said that it is not possible to build a sustainable society without women's empowerment.
Director Program ABM Zakaria delivered a welcome speech on behalf of Leaders at the gathering. He highlighted various aspects of their activities and explained the importance of valuing and recognizing women's unpaid domestic work, addressing the adverse effects of climate change, and engaging local communities in addressing climate change to end child marriage.
Also present at the rally as special guests were Shyamnagar Police Station Investigation Officer Md. Mizanur Rahman, Upazila Women's Affairs Officer Sharid Bin Shafiq, Upazila Program Officer One Stop Crisis Cell (OCC) Pranab Kumar Biswas, Paritran Program Officer Nayan Kumar Gain and Executive Director of Nakshi Kantha Chandrika Banerjee. People from different walks of life expressed their views at the rally and pledged to work together to determine what to do on climate change and women's rights.
Participants in the rally took part in a protest demanding the evaluation and recognition of women's unpaid domestic work by making handprints.
The public meeting was held under the leadership of Project Officer Sulta Saha.
He believes that this mass gathering will play an important role in creating awareness among local communities to value women's unpaid work, prevent child marriage, and increase climate resilience.
