Staff Correspondent

Good Neighbors Bangladesh on Monday honoured five fathers at the national level for their contributions to ensuring girls’ education and preventing child marriage. The awards were presented at the organisation’s head office in Dhaka at the ‘National Good Daddy Campaign 2026’, held under the theme ‘Fathers Stand for Girls: Education Yes, Child Marriage No’.

Bertin Gomes, managing director and country head of Good Neighbors Bangladesh, chaired the programme. Shahin Akter Dolly, executive director of Nari Maitree; Ifat Ara Parveen, manager of the education programme at BRAC; Jamal Uddin, national coordinator of advocacy and child protection at World Vision Bangladesh; and Nusrat Binte Haider, productive learning specialist at Food for the Hungry Bangladesh, also spoke at the event.

In his speech, Bertin Gomes said fathers’ sincere support, informed decisions and active participation were crucial to helping girls fulfil their aspirations.

Anand Kumar Das, head of programmes at Good Neighbors Bangladesh, announced the recipients of the Good Daddy Awards. Selected fathers from different communities and their daughters shared their experiences at the event. The day-long programme included a documentary screening on the Good Daddy Campaign, experience-sharing sessions, an oath-taking ceremony against child marriage and an award distribution ceremony. The programme concluded with cultural performances highlighting the dreams and potential of girls.

The participating fathers pledged not to marry off their daughters before they turn 18. They also called for the formation of a ‘Good Daddy Network’ to raise awareness at the community level, promote positive parenting practices and strengthen collective efforts to prevent child marriage.