PM to open Child Rights Week 2020 marking World Children’s Day tomorrow

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the World Children's Day and Child Rights Week 2020 virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence in the city tomorrow.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually join the inaugural function of the World Children's Day and Child Rights Week 2020 as the chief guest at 10.30 am tomorrow to be held at Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium from her official Ganabhaban residence," State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nesa Indira told a press conference on the occasion of the World Children's Day.

The premier, in the inaugural function, will unveil the covers of a series of children's books (25 books) written on the life and works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 'Amra Ekechi 100 Mujib', a book published with selected pictures drawn by children, and 'Amra Likhechi 100 Mujib', another book published with the writings of children, on the occasion of the 'Mujib Year' marking Bangabandhu's birth centenary, she said.

Marking the day, Indira said, different discussions will be held virtually across the country on protecting child rights and their development throughout the Child Rights Week.

Different ministries, divisions, city corporations, UNICEF, Save the Children, Plan International, Aparajeyo Bangla and Shishu Odhikar Forum as well as other national and international organizations will take part in the weeklong programme, the state minister added.

The inaugural function of the World Children's Day will be live broadcast through Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and online media, she said, adding, special supplements, posters, festoons, banners and souvenirs have already been published marking the day.

At the press conference, the state minister congratulated and thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for pledging to increase the participation of women in the workplace to 50 percent by 2041 at the UN High Level Conference.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the international community to ensure equality, empowerment and progress of women. The global call for job security in the coronavirus epidemic will play an important role in the employment and empowerment of women," Indira said.

"With this announcement, the role model that Bangladesh has ushered in women empowerment will spread further worldwide…This pledge of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be considered as a charter for the liberation of women around the world to achieve equality, advancement and progress," she added.

Bangladesh Shishu Academy Chairman Lucky Inam, Additional Secretary of the Ministry Farida Parveen, Additional Secretary Mohiuddin Ahmed and Chief Information Officer Surath Kumar Sarkar were present, among others, in the program.