Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, July 15, 2025 (BSS)- Speakers at a discussion here today 
unequivocally called for ensuring legitimate rights of women and children for 
the cherished development of the nation.

More community participation has become an urgent need to build a society 
free from child marriage as it's a precondition to end violence against 
women.

Government and experts came up with the observation while addressing a 
workshop on women and child rights here. 

Regional Public Administration Training Centre (RPATC) organized the workshop 
at its conference hall.

During her keynote presentation, Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi Division 
Dr Chitralekha Naznin talked about the importance of ensuring women and child 
rights.

Faculty Dean of Asian University of Bangladesh Professor Shirin Akter and 
Deputy Director of Local Government Zakiul Islam also spoke on the occasion 
with RPATC Deputy Director Tamanna Nasrin Urmi in the chair.
 
Dr Chitralekha Naznin noted that forging social resistance and waging for 
movement to end violence and disparity against women and children have become 
an urgent need for building themselves as worthy citizens.
 
As a whole, all people should raise their voice and work together as only the 
government or any other single organisation cannot bring any desired yield in 
this regard. 

Prof Shirin Akter mentioned gender balance is the precondition to substantial 
and sustainable progress of the nation and it is very important to the 
development of the national economy.
 
Responsive support from the community, especially teachers, parents and 
leaders of influence has become a must for stopping child marriage.
 
Eradicating child marriage is imperative as the social menace hampers many 
socio-economic developments in the country.

The participants, in open discussions, put forward a set of recommendations 
on how to ensure women participation in education, decision-making, 
empowerment and reproductive and mental health.
 
They viewed that utmost emphasis should be given on freeing the women from 
sexual exploitation and violence.