The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Bangladesh organized an Open Mic event on Wednesday at Shahabuddin Park to mark International Women’s Day, inviting members of the public to speak out on the rights, justice, and empowerment of women and girls across the country.
Held under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” the event provided a platform for women, girls, men, and boys to share reflections, commitments, and aspirations for a more equal Bangladesh.
Addressing the gathering, UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh Catherine Breen Kamkong thanked participants for their engagement, noting that meaningful change begins with listening to communities.
“Policies and programs are strongest when they reflect real voices and lived experiences,” Kamkong said. “At UNFPA, we are committed to preventing violence against women and girls, ending child marriage, reducing adolescent pregnancy, preventing maternal deaths, and ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Sustainable progress requires collective action, starting with dialogue.”
Bangladesh has made strides in advancing gender equality, but challenges remain. Millions of women still face violence, nearly half of adolescent girls experience child marriage, maternal deaths persist, and many women and girls encounter barriers in exercising full control over their health and life choices.
“Many girls are still discouraged from studying technology and engineering, and too often face cyberbullying and online harassment. Initiatives like Alapon Helpline give adolescents a safe space to share struggles, discuss mental health, and support each other. When young people feel heard, they find strength and hope to move forward,” said Farhana Sadika, a student at United International University, speaking at the Open Mic about the challenges girls face in her community.
The Open Mic forms part of UNFPA Bangladesh’s broader International Women’s Day campaign, which aims to highlight data, personal stories, and community voices to drive action on women’s and girls’ rights.
UNFPA reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Government of Bangladesh, partners, and communities to ensure every woman and girl can live free from violence, make informed decisions about her future, and move beyond survival to thrive.
