DHAKA, March 3, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 13,97,530 people have received legal assistance at government expense through the National Legal Aid Services Organization, also known as Legal Aid, from 2009 to January 2026. The information was revealed in a report published on the organization's official website, highlighting detailed statistics of legal aid services during the period. According to the report, legal assistance was provided in 4,57,742 cases to financially insolvent and underprivileged justice seekers. Of the total beneficiaries, 30,316 received services through the Supreme Court Legal Aid Office, 11,39,242 through 64 district legal aid offices and 29,979 through labour legal aid cells in Dhaka and Chattogram. Additionally, 1,97,993 individuals were provided legal advice and services through the National Legal Aid Helpline Call Centre via its toll-free number. The services are being rendered at government expense under the Legal Aid Services Act with the objective of ensuring access to justice for financially disadvantaged and incapable litigants. The activities of the National Legal Aid Services Organization are carried out under the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

RAJSHAHI, March 3, 2026 (BSS)- An orientation meeting under BRAC's 'Shikha'  project was held at the Rajshahi District Education Office with the aim of  creating an environment free from gender-based violence, bullying, and sexual  harassment. The meeting was organised at the office of the District Education Officer  today to strengthen prevention and support mechanisms and ensure safer public  and private spaces.   The meeting was presided over by District Education Officer Zayedur Rahman.   Among those present were the Research Officer (Education), Upazila Secondary  Education Officers from nine upazilas of the district, academic supervisors,  BRAC district representatives, distinguished members of civil society,  officials from various government departments, head teachers of different  educational institutions, journalists and NGO representatives.   The 'Shikha' project is a four-year initiative funded by the European Union.  Its activities have been implemented in nine upazilas of the district since  February last year.   Under the project, awareness programmes to prevent gender-based violence will  be conducted in 60 secondary schools across the district. In addition, integrated prevention and support mechanisms will be  strengthened to ensure safe environments-especially for women and girls-in  public places, workplaces, public transport, garment factories, digital  platforms and local communities.   During the open discussion, speakers exchanged detailed views on preventing  sexual harassment in educational institutions, addressing child marriage and  bullying, improving reporting and response systems, and transforming schools  into violence-free and safe workplaces.   Emphasis was placed on preparing risk maps of students' routes around  educational institutions and making sexual harassment prevention committees  more active and effective.   The session was moderated by Habibur Rahman, technical manager of the  'Shikha' project.   Other speakers included Technical Officer Mita Rani Sarker, Road Safety  representative Pankaj Kumar Biswas, Project Officer Motaleb Hossain, Project  Officer Afroza Khatun, Community Volunteers Shakil Ahmed, Ahnaf Tahamid, and  Sohanur Rahman, as well as BLAST representative Soma Islam, among others.   The project is being implemented in Rajshahi by engaging local government  bodies, public representatives, civil society members, and local  organisations, focusing on secondary schools and madrasas.   Its main objective is to raise public awareness against sexual harassment and  gender-based violence, establish effective prevention and support mechanisms,  and strengthen institutional structures.