An upazila-level orientation meeting of BRAC’s “Shikha” Project was held in Mohanpur of Rajshahi on Wednesday to raise awareness and strengthen efforts against gender-based violence, bullying, and sexual harassment.
The meeting took place at 11:00 am in the conference room of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and was attended by local administration officials, education stakeholders, and community representatives.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Fahima Binte Akhter attended the event as the chief guest. Special guests included Assistant Commissioner (Land) Zobaida Sultana, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Mizanur Rahman, Academic Supervisor Md. Abdul Matin, Upazila Women Affairs Officer Habiba Khatun, Headmaster of Mohanpur Government Girls’ High School Abdul Latif, Headmaster of Mahabbatpur High School Abdul Alim, Headmaster Mirajul Islam, Superintendent of Mahishkundi Dakhil Madrasa Md. Saiful Islam, Assistant Teacher Md. Aminul Islam, and BLAST DPO Kaushik Tanvir.
According to the organizers, the primary objective of the BRAC “Shikha” Project is to create safe educational institutions, workplaces, public transportation systems, and communities free from gender-based violence, bullying, and sexual harassment.
Funded by the European Union, the project will be implemented from February 2025 to January 2029. Its activities will be carried out across Rajshahi, Dhaka, Gazipur, Chattogram, Barishal, and Narayanganj districts.
Under the project, awareness-building initiatives will be conducted in 270 educational institutions, the ready-made garment sector, public transport services, and various communities. Activities will also include risk assessments, risk mapping, parent meetings, action plans to prevent gender-based violence, youth forum formation, and campaigns aimed at preventing child marriage and ensuring safe mobility for women and children.
During the event, Shikha Project Technical Manager Mita Rani Sarkar presented the project's goals, strategies, and planned activities. The session was moderated by Project Officer Afroza Khatun.
Among those present were Md. Shahin Sagor, General Secretary of Mohanpur Model Press Club and Rajshahi Divisional Bureau Chief of the national daily The Daily Industry, along with community volunteers and other relevant stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, UNO Fahima Binte Akhter emphasized the importance of the project in creating a safer social environment for women, children, and young people. She urged educational institutions to prioritize awareness on gender-based violence, bullying, and sexual harassment among teachers and students and encouraged reporting any such incidents to the administration for necessary action.
