Mohsin Mohammad Matrik, Manikganj

An advocacy dialogue titled "Youth for Equality" (Somotar Tarunno) was held at the Manikganj Deputy  Commissioner's conference room on Thursday morning, aiming to engage young people in countering gender discrimination, violence against women, cyberbullying, and harmful social practices.

Organized by the social organization Dishari in technical and financial collaboration with Jago Foundation Trust and Plan International Bangladesh, the symposium focused on mobilizing local administration, civil society organizations, youth ambassadors, and community leaders to build an equitable society.

Addressing the assembly as the chief guest, Manikganj District Commissioner Najmun Ara Sultana stated that active youth participation is vital for establishing gender equality and creating a violence-free, non-discriminatory social structure. She noted that local-level dialogues foster positive shifts in social attitudes and encourage collective policy action.

According to the organizers, the primary objective of the "Youth for Equality" initiative is to raise community awareness against gender-based discrimination, deep-rooted social superstitions, and discriminatory mindsets that negatively affect youth and women. The project seeks to engage local stakeholders in formulating sustainable solutions to combat these challenges.

Participants at the session—including public officials, educators, and trained youth delegates—identified prevailing gender disparities and negative social perceptions within the district, recommending coordinated inter-agency cooperation to resolve them.

Presided over by Dishari Advisor and Manikganj Press Club President Jahangir Alam Biswas, the dialogue was addressed by Additional District Commissioner (Education and ICT) Md. Khairul Islam, Additional Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Mamun, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Government Debendra College Shahinur Rahman, District Education Officer Md. Amir Hossain, and Assistant District Primary Education Officer Md. Habibur Rahman.

Other prominent speakers included Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) District Branch President ABM Shamsunnabi Tulip, National Polytechnic Institute Director Engr. Dr. Mohammad Faruque Hossain, Khan Bahadur Aolad Hossain Khan College Lecturer Ruhul Jamal Sujon, Adolescent Club representative Masuma Khan Mukti, Dishari Founder President Hasan Shikder, General Secretary Zohirul Islam Tushar, and National Children's Task Force District Committee President Tahmina Afrin Mohona.