Atwari Upazila UNO Md Arifuzzaman speaks at women’s rally for youth-based, discrimination-free Bangladesh. Photo : BSS

PANCHAGARH, Sept 16, 2025 (BSS) - A women's rally was held at Radhanagar Government Primary School ground in Atwari Upazila of the district aiming to build a youth-based, exploitation-free and discrimination-free Bangladesh.

Atwari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Arifuzzaman attended the rally as the chief guest. The programme was organized by Panchagarh District Information Office on Monday, said a press release of PID's Rangpur Regional Office.

Panchagarh District Information Officer Ujjwal Sheel presided over the programme.

The chief guest said equality between men and women and improving the quality of life of women are key components to building a discrimination-free Bangladesh.

He said there is no alternative to proper education and employment to make women self-reliant for ensuring overall and sustainable development.

At present, he added, there are many employment opportunities for women in the IT sector which they should be encouraged to utilize.

Highlighting the role of mothers in raising children, the UNO said the family is the first school for children and the mother is their first teacher. Family education is vital to shape a bright future for children.

"Therefore, the role of the family in providing moral education to children is essential," he added.

He further said child marriage is a curse and a major obstacle to the progress of society. Everyone must be vocal in preventing it to free society from this curse.

The District Information Officer said there is no alternative to educating and developing girls to make them self-reliant.

He urged women to take initiatives for self-employment by receiving training from various government and private institutions including the Department of Women Affairs and the Department of Youth Development.

Atwari Upazila Primary Education Officer Md Masud Hasan, former Chairman of Radhanagar UP Md Mahbub Alam Pradhan and Headmistress of Radhanagar Government Primary School Md Hosne Ara Habiba, among others, also addressed the event.

More than two hundred children, women and men took part in the rally.