Agrilife24.com:Nearly a hundred and fifty students (both girls and boys) from Mirpur’s Rupnagar High School participated in an event celebrating International Day of the Girl today. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) observed this day together with Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Rupnagar High School, and the Urban Federation.
Brig. General Zobaidur Rahman, Chief Health Officer of DNCC graced the occasion as the chief guest. Mr Xavier Bouan, Senior Technical Adviser of FAO’s Dhaka Food System project attended this event as a special guest.
FAO Bangladesh is committed to ensure Gender Equality and Women and Youth Empowerment through all its intervention. As a part of this, a series of activities at Rupnagar High School, including rallies, art workshop for better nutrition, and quiz on micronutrients, healthy diet and safe food were organized in observance of International Day of the Girl. The students also received a video message from the Bangladesh Women’s Football team as a part of the celebration. Through these activities, the students will get access to resources on nutrition, exercise leadership, and learn about their rights. The involvement of city corporation officials will help integrate the girls’ rights in relevant national policies.
Food and nutrition security and gender inequality are closely linked with disadvantages that begin at a young age. In 2022, FAO reported that globally, women are 10 percent more likely than men to be moderately or severely food insecure. It is crucial that girls have equal access to nutritious food, and as they grow up to give them the information, resources, choices, and economic opportunities that they need to prosper. On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
The International Day of the Girl focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. This year’s International Day of the Girl on 11 October 2022, marks the 10th anniversary of this UN special observance to put the voices of girls and young women at the centre with the theme ‘Our Time is now – Our Rights, Our Future’; providing space for them to lead the discussions and share with decisions-makers their key messages for change.
