Girls' safety, education a collective responsibility, says president

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (12 October) called for concerted efforts by the government, families and society to ensure girls' safety and education, end child marriage and create opportunities for them to achieve their full potential.

"Child marriage is not just a marriage. It is the end of a childhood, a disruption of education and a waste of potential," he said while addressing a programme marking International and National Girl Child Day 2026 at Bangladesh Shishu Academy.

This year's theme is "No More Child Marriage, Girls Will Conquer the World".

President Fakhrul stressed the need to ensure girls' safety on their way to school, in educational institutions and in the online world, including on social media platforms.

He called for prompt investigations, effective trials and strict enforcement of the law in cases of violence against women and children, rape and sexual harassment.

"There is no alternative to strictly implementing a zero-tolerance policy in this regard," he said.

He urged families and children to familiarise themselves with the national helplines 109, 1098 and 999 so they can seek assistance quickly in emergencies.

A single phone call at the right moment can play an important role in protecting a child's life and childhood, he said.

The president stressed that girls' education is a fundamental right, while ensuring their safety is a collective responsibility.

"The birth of a girl child is not a burden; it marks the beginning of unlimited possibilities," he said, urging people to recognise girls as assets and future leaders rather than liabilities.

Addressing the programme, Mirza Fakhrul said child marriage could lead to early motherhood, health risks, economic dependence and an increased risk of violence, while depriving girls of opportunities to develop their abilities.

He called for positive changes in attitudes at the family, social and state levels, alongside sustained and well-planned investment in girls' welfare.

The president said boys and girls should be given equal importance when discussing their aspirations and future careers.

"Alongside asking boys about their ambitions, we must also ask girls, 'What do you want to become when you grow up?'" he said, adding that society must help them turn their dreams into reality.

The president also called for making adolescent-friendly healthcare and mental health services more accessible in every upazila.

Highlighting poverty as one of the major causes of child marriage, Fakhrul said strengthening families' economic capacity was essential to protecting girls' futures.

He called for the effective delivery of free education, stipends, nutritious food at schools and social protection benefits to help girls from poor families continue their education.

Strengthening birth registration verification, expanding opportunities for girls to pursue higher education and extending social protection coverage to vulnerable families were also important, he said.

The president highlighted Bangladesh's longstanding initiatives to promote women's development and empowerment.

He said the institutional journey began with the establishment of the Department of Women's Affairs in 1976 and the Ministry of Women's Affairs in 1978 under the initiatives of late President Ziaur Rahman. The ministry was later transformed into the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

He also credited initiatives introduced during the government of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, including compulsory primary education, food-for-education programmes, and free education and stipends for girls up to the higher secondary level, with playing an important role in expanding girls' education.

Fakhrul said the present government was also undertaking various programmes to promote girls' education, safety and economic empowerment.

He stressed that the benefits of state initiatives must reach every girl, including those living in remote villages, so that gender, safety concerns and family financial constraints do not limit their aspirations.

Referring to the achievements of Bangladeshi women, the president mentioned mountaineer Nishat Mazumder's ascent of Mount Everest and the success of the national women's football team on the international stage.

He also said women and girls had demonstrated courage and played leading roles in the Liberation War, the country's long democratic movements and, in particular, the July uprising.

Women in Bangladesh continue to demonstrate their capabilities in education, healthcare, technology, the media, business and public administration, he said.

"If books had been replaced with wedding sarees in these girls' hands during their childhood, would we have witnessed their achievements today?" he asked.

The president said the slogan "Girls Will Conquer the World" was not merely poetic but reflected Bangladesh's real potential.

Quoting National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, he said women and men had made complementary contributions to human civilisation and its progress.

The president also called on parents to treat daughters as possibilities rather than burdens and ensure equal dignity and opportunities for sons and daughters.

He urged parents to teach boys from an early age to respect girls and value their opinions.

"Before saving for marriage, invest in your daughter's education and welfare," he said, urging families to help girls develop skills, become self-reliant and build their own futures.

Addressing girls directly, Fakhrul urged them to remain aware of their rights, pursue education, acquire skills and prepare to stand on their own feet.

He encouraged them not to be afraid of dreaming big and to remain determined in pursuing their goals.

He also urged girls not to remain silent if they faced injustice, abuse or harassment, advising them to inform trusted parents, teachers or relevant authorities and seek help through the appropriate helplines when necessary.

The president called for political commitment, administrative efficiency, social participation and, above all, a change in public attitudes to ensure that girls could achieve their full potential.

He said religious leaders, teachers, marriage registrars, elected representatives and media professionals had important roles to play in bringing about the necessary changes.

The president called for building a Bangladesh where every girl could be born safely, grow up without fear, pursue education, acquire skills, become self-reliant and proudly claim ownership of her country and future.

"No more child marriage. No more discrimination. A girl's dreams will not be stopped. Girls will move forward. Girls will conquer the world," he said.

He called on everyone to work together to ensure a healthy, safe, dignified and bright future for all girls in Bangladesh and wished children in Bangladesh and around the world safe, successful and fulfilling lives.