An awareness meeting was held to make Paikgacha Upazila of Khulna free from child marriage and child labor. On the morning of Thursday, March 5, Paikgacha Area Program World Vision Bangladesh organized the meeting at its own office and in collaboration with the Upazila administration, under the chairmanship of Women Affairs Officer Reshma Akhter.
The chief guest was Upazila Secondary Education Officer Shahjahan Ali Sheikh. The welcome speech was delivered by Paikgacha Area Program Manager Biplob Ishaq Sardar.
The speeches were moderated by Sponsorship and Child Protection Officer Dipol Biswas, Upazila Assistant Youth Development Officer Jahangir Morol, ASI Shahnaz Akhter, DSK Regional Manager Md. Abul Hasan Siddiqui, Senior Program Officer Newton Gomez, Nabalok PO Kazi Farhana Afroz, MC of Islamic Foundation Sheikh Shawkat Hossain, Manager Sanjay Barai and others.
Government officials from various departments, various religious representatives, NGO representatives and members of civil society also participated at this time. The meeting said, “It is not possible for any single organization to build a society free from child marriage and child labor. The administration, public representatives, educational institutions, guardians and people from all walks of life must work together to ensure a safe, healthy and education-based future for children.
The upazila administration is working with utmost importance to implement the laws and policies announced by the government. The speakers also said that they discussed in detail the current situation of child marriage and child labor, its social and economic harmful effects and what can be done to prevent it. They also presented the necessary steps, partnerships and an effective roadmap to declare Paikgachha Upazila free from child marriage and child labor.