A programme titled "Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls" held at a hotel in Rajshahi city marking International Women's Day 2026. Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, March 10, 2026 (BSS) - Speakers at a dialogue in Rajshahi today stressed the need to ensure the rights, dignity and safety of women and girls to achieve sustainable development.

They said women constitute half of the population and without their active participation and empowerment, no country or society can achieve sustainable and inclusive development.

The remarks were made at a dialogue titled "Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls" held at a hotel in Rajshahi city marking International Women's Day 2026.

The dialogue was organised by Barendra Economic Development Organization (BEDO) under its Freedom of Expression for Digital Democracy Project.

Executive Director of BEDO Aminul Islam chaired the programme while Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Development in Rajshahi Md. Shariful Islam addressed the event as the chief guest.

Among others, Executive Director of Barendra Unnayan Prochesta Faizullah Chowdhury, Editor of the daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hasan Millat and President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Kalpana Roy spoke as special guests.

Saiful Islam, Project Manager of BEDO's Freedom of Expression for Digital Democracy Project, presented the keynote paper at the dialogue.

Speakers said ensuring equal rights for women in all sectors, including education, healthcare, employment, leadership and security, has become a pressing need.

They noted that creating equal opportunities for women benefits not only individuals but also families, communities and the nation as a whole. Sustainable development, they said, cannot be achieved by leaving women behind.

The speakers also stressed the importance of ensuring women's safety both inside and outside the home to make development initiatives effective.

They said apart from social harassment, online character assassination and cyberbullying against women have recently emerged as serious challenges, urging effective steps to prevent such crimes.

Referring to child marriage as a major challenge for girls, they said the issue must be addressed through strict enforcement of laws and increased social awareness.

The speakers also called for eliminating gender discrimination that still persists in workplaces, families and society to ensure justice and equality.

They said protecting the rights of women and girls should not remain limited to a single day's observance but must become a continuous social commitment.

Violence, discrimination and injustice against women and girls must be stopped while their dignity and safety should be ensured at every level of family, educational institutions, workplaces and society, they added.

The speakers further said a just and prosperous society can be built by strengthening legal protection, raising public awareness and ensuring women's economic empowerment.

They also underscored the importance of ensuring education and protection for girls, noting that today's girls are the future leaders and a vital driving force of national development.

During the open discussion, social activists and development workers including Afzal Hossain, Rajkumar Shaon, Advocate Kaniz Fatema, Kazi Nazmul Islam, Mohona and Samrat Raihan also spoke.