United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Bangladesh marked International Women’s Day by organising an Open Mic event at Shahabuddin Park, creating a public platform for dialogue on the rights, justice and empowerment of women and girls.

Held under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” the event invited women, girls, men and boys to share reflections, commitments and aspirations for a more equal Bangladesh.

Addressing the gathering, UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh Catherine Breen Kamkong thanked participants for their engagement and emphasised the importance of listening to communities.

“Policies and programmes are strongest when they reflect and are guided by real voices and lived experiences,” she said. “UNFPA remains committed to preventing violence against women and girls, ending child marriage, reducing adolescent pregnancy, preventing maternal deaths and ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Sustainable progress requires collective action, and that begins with dialogue.”

While Bangladesh has made notable progress in gender equality, challenges persist. Violence against women continues, child marriage remains prevalent, and many women and girls still face barriers to exercising full agency over their health and life choices.

Farhana Sadika, a student of United International University, highlighted ongoing challenges, including cyberbullying and discouragement of girls from pursuing technology and engineering. She noted that initiatives such as Alapon Helpline provide adolescents with safe spaces to discuss mental health and personal struggles.

The Open Mic forms part of UNFPA Bangladesh’s broader International Women’s Day campaign aimed at elevating community voices and driving action for women’s and girls’ rights. UNFPA reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Government of Bangladesh and partners to ensure every woman and girl can live free from violence and realise her full potential.