A call for greater inclusivity in digital and civic spaces and the need to combat gender disinformation resonated strongly at a networking meeting of civil society organizations (CSOs) hosted by Voices for Interactive Choice and Empowerment (VOICE) at the YWCA of Bangladesh training centre in the capital.
Participants emphasized the importance of ensuring that civic space is not dominated by the majority but remains open to all, in line with the global principle of "Leave No One Behind" (LNOB).
Discussions highlighted the long-standing marginalization of indigenous communities across different regimes in Bangladesh. Participants underscored the urgency of building awareness among law enforcement agencies and embedding respect for socially excluded groups within early childhood education.
The event brought together notable speakers, including Dalia Chakma, Gender Lead at Sparc, Udisa Islam, City Editor at Bangla Tribune, Sharmin Ur Nahar, Senior Lecturer at Department of Bangla Language and Literature at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, and Nadira Parvin, Project Manager at Nagorik Udyog, among others. They collectively stressed the importance of inclusive education, advocating for the integration of freedom of expression and civic responsibility into school curricula.