UNFPA urges community voices to drive gender equality at Dhaka open mic

To mark International Women's Day, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Bangladesh organised an open mic event at Shahabuddin Park in Dhaka on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, inviting members of the public to speak out for the rights, justice, and empowerment of women and girls.

Held under the global theme 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls', the event provided a public platform for women, girls, men, and boys to share their reflections, commitments, and aspirations for a more equal Bangladesh.

UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh, Catherine Breen Kamkong, thanked participants for their engagement, stating that meaningful change begins by listening to communities.

'Policies and programmes are strongest when they reflect and are guided by real voices and lived experiences,' she stated. 'At UNFPA, we are committed to preventing violence against women and girls, ending child marriage, reducing adolescent pregnancy, ending preventable maternal deaths, and ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. But sustainable progress requires collective action, and that starts with dialogue.'

UNFPA stated that Bangladesh has made progress on gender equality, but challenges remain. It stated that violence against women continues to affect millions, child marriage persists for a large share of adolescent girls, maternal deaths still occur during pregnancy and childbirth, and many women and girls face barriers to exercising agency over their health and life choices.

Farhana Sadika, a student at United International University, stated that girls are still discouraged from studying technology and engineering, and often face cyberbullying and online harassment. She stated that initiatives such as the Alapon helpline can provide adolescents with a safe space to share struggles, discuss mental health, and support one another.

UNFPA stated that the open mic event is part of its broader International Women's Day campaign to highlight data, personal stories, and community voices to drive action on women's and girls' rights. It reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government, partners, and communities so women and girls can live free from violence and make informed decisions about their lives and health.