Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Monday called for concerted efforts by families, communities and relevant stakeholders to protect adolescent girls’ reproductive health, ensure continuity of their education and prevent child marriage.
Speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled “Reproductive Health and Adolescent Girls’ Health Protection and Prevention of Child Marriage” at the Patharghata Upazila Parishad auditorium in Barguna, he stressed the need for greater awareness and access to healthcare services.
Moni said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken various initiatives to make women economically self-reliant and empower them.
Through the Family Card programme, the government is working to strengthen women economically, while initiatives have also been taken to expand educational opportunities for girls and provide stipends, he said.
The chief whip stressed the need to create an environment in which girls can pursue education and develop the skills to take leadership roles in society.
He said raising awareness about reproductive health, ensuring access to healthcare services and prioritising education are essential to the healthy development of adolescent girls and securing their future.
Moni also called for greater awareness among families and communities about the harmful consequences of child marriage.
He also expressed a firm stance against drug abuse, extortion, illegal occupation and terrorism in Patharghata.
The workshop was organised by the Strengthening Parliament’s Capacity in Integration of Population and Development Issues (SPCPD) project of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Patharghata upazila administration.
Rafiqul Islam Jamal, MP, attended the event as a special guest with ANM Khalilur Rahman Khan, director general (Broadcasting and Information Technology) of the Parliament Secretariat, in the chair.
Barguna Superintendent of Police Md Kudrat-E-Khuda, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Animesh Biswas, Parliament Secretariat Joint Secretary Md Al Mamun, and other officials and journalists were also present.