A new project “Shomotay Tarunno: Youth for Equality” was officially launched in Dhaka, Khulna, Rangpur and Barishal divisions with the vision of preventing gender-based violence in society, breaking negative gender stereotypes and strengthening youth and youth-led organizations at the national and local levels.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) has funded the four-year-long project, which will be jointly implemented by Plan International Bangladesh and JAAGO Foundation Trust in all eight divisions in Bangladesh till November 2027.

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Assistant Commissioner (Land) Abdul Matin Khan officially launched the project at a city hotel on Thursday in Barishal.

Department of Youth Development’s Deputy Director Md Shamim Chowdhury, Women Affairs Department’s Deputy Director Mehrun Nahar Munni and Social Welfare Department’s Deputy Director AKM Akhtaruzzaman Talukdar were present.

Abdul Matin Khan said, “Financial inefficiency can never be a barrier to equality. As soon as we understand ourselves, think freely, and live a disciplined life, equality will be achieved.”

National Youth Council (NYC) Vice President Towhidul Islam Dip and Zahir Ikbal, secretary Tanjinul Islam were present at the project opening ceremony at EMK Center in Gulshan on Thursday. Representatives of youth-led organizations, public and private institutions, content creators, social media influencers were also present.

NYC Vice President Towhidul Islam Dip said, “73% youths in Bangladesh live in villages. Inclusion and development of rural youths can ensure equality among the youth. The NYC will be involved with Shomotay Tarunno Project in the coming years.”

Mohammad Mobasswer Hasan, Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Magistrate, was present as the Chief Guest at the project launching ceremony on July 3 in RDRS auditorium in Rangpur.

Rangpur Deputy Commissioner said, "In the local context of Rangpur, it is important to develop youth’s skills. Skill development requires training, and proper recognition and global-level certification is also required after training.”

Mohammad Yusuf Ali, Deputy Director, Local Government Department, Khulna, was present as the chief guest at the project launching ceremony at CSS Ava Center in Khulna on Wednesday.

Anindita Roy, Director, Divisional Social Services Office and Amitabh Biswas, Trainer, Department of Youth Development, were also present as special guests.

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Yusuf Ali said, “Shomotay Tarunno Project is little different than other traditional projects. This is inspiring as the project will engage content creators, social media influencers, media workers and work in breaking negative stereotypes in the society.”

Representatives from divisional level government offices, public & private organizations, youth-led organizations, media professionals, NYC, young content creators, social media influencers, and representatives of project implementing organizations were present at the project launching events.

The project will engage 13,515 individuals as project direct participants, said a media release. Of them- 12,690 youths of 252 local youth-led organizations, 75 members of the National Youth Council, 350 local content creators & social media influencers, and 475 media professionals, education institute authorities, teachers and government officials.

The project will also reach 2 million people through awareness activities to convey the message on gender equality and breaking negative gender stereotypes in Bangladesh society.