Girls’ safety, education collective onus: President

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday called for concerted efforts by the government, families and society to end 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 become aware of the national helplines 109, 1098 and 999 so that 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.

“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.�"UNB