A delegation of the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum, led by Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar met with Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal. Photo : JS

DHAKA, July 6, 2026 (BSS) - Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal, MP, and today reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the rights, safety and empowerment of women and girl children, stressing that coordinated efforts by the government, parliament, civil society and families are essential to eliminate discrimination and violence against them.

He made the remarks when an eight-member delegation of the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum, led by Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, made a courtesy call on him at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

During the meeting, the delegation highlighted a number of issues, including raising public awareness about the rights of women and girl children, declaring and observing September 30 as National Girl Child Day, incorporating separate provisions on girl children in the National Women Development Policy and the National Children Policy-2011, amending the Child Marriage Restraint Act and its rules, forming a Parliamentary Child Rights Caucus, and addressing sexual harassment and other challenges faced by women and girls in public spaces, public transport, educational institutions and workplaces.

The Deputy Speaker listened attentively to the delegation’s proposals and said every family has daughters whose safety and dignity must be ensured, said a press release of the parliament secretariat.

“Our religious values also teach us to treat them with respect. The tendency to give preference to sons over daughters, both in rural and urban areas, is undesirable,” he said.

Referring to the condition of women in many families, he said women often suffer from malnutrition, eat last, sleep last and wake up first while making immense sacrifices for their families.

“Any form of disrespect or inappropriate behaviour towards them is deeply unfortunate,” he said, adding that women in countries like Cambodia and Thailand have achieved greater social progress in several respects.

On the proposal to establish a Parliamentary Child Rights Caucus, Barrister Kayser Kamal said the body should be formed with competent and experienced members.

“Today’s children are the future of tomorrow. Effective initiatives must be taken for their welfare. If necessary, proposals for amendments to relevant laws and regulations can be placed through the caucus. We will work together on these issues,” he said.

He also noted that the government has already implemented various programmes for the development, protection and empowerment of girl children.

The Deputy Speaker said the government has undertaken a range of policy and legal initiatives to safeguard the rights of women and girl children and ensure their safe and dignified lives.

He stressed that effective implementation of these initiatives requires coordinated efforts by government institutions, elected representatives, civil society organisations and social organisations. At the same time, he said, families and society must foster positive attitudes to prevent discrimination and violence against women and girls.

The meeting also underscored the importance of ensuring a safe, inclusive and discrimination-free environment for women and girl children and promoting girl child-friendly initiatives at the policy-making level.

The delegation thanked the Deputy Speaker for giving a patient hearing to their concerns and sought his continued support in advancing the rights of women and girl children and addressing related challenges.

Both sides expressed optimism that they would continue to work together to promote the welfare, rights and empowerment of women and girl children through sustained cooperation.