The yearly planning workshop for the project titled ‘Our Lives, Our Health, Our Futures (OLHF)’ was held at The Sea Princess Hotel in Cox’s Bazar on Monday, October 25, 2021. Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha has organized the workshop (BNPS). The project is conducting several developmental activities in the CHT for adolescent girls and young women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, boosting awareness and life skills to live a non-violent and dignified life.
Mahbuba Haque Kumkum, Program Manager of Simavi Bangladesh, and Sanjoy Majumder, Project Manager of BNPS also spoke in the inaugural session. Dr. Nilu Kumar Tanchangya, Executive Director, Hill Flower, Dr. Paresh Khisa, Acting Executive Director, Taungya, Daw Nai Prue Naly, Executive Director of Ananya Kallyan Sanghathon, Chaing Seing Moung, Executive Director, GRAUS, Ching Shing Prue, Executive Director, Tahzingdong, Sucharita Chakma, Executive Director, Progressive, Naie u Prue Marma Mary, Executive Director, WEAVE Shapla Tripura, Executive Committee Member of KMKS were present at that time. During the inaugural session, Simavi Headquarters officials from the Netherlands have given welcome addressed the workshop via video conference.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the 3-day annual planning workshop organized by Our Lives, Our Health, Our Futures (OLHF) project, Rokeya Kabir, Executive Director of Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha, said, the arson and violence continues. But our constitution has given equal rights to all citizens, where every citizen will have equal opportunity to practice his own religion or belief. She said that the civil rights enshrined in the constitution were being violated due to the persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh, vandalism of idols by attacking puja mandops, killings, and torture of women and children. “I am shocked and ashamed,” she said. Not only religious minorities but also women, half of the population of Bangladesh, continue to be oppressed. Besides, there is the issue of religious and social oppression on different ethnic groups at different times. She called upon the state as well as the citizens to come forward to play an effective role in creating equal opportunities for all citizens.
Addressing the inauguration occasion, she said, “A large number of adolescents has in our country. The governments, as well as non-governmental organizations, are contributing to ensure their health and rights. As part of this, the project will play a vital role in protecting the health of adolescents and young women in the CHT and enabling them to lead a non-violent, dignified life. ‘
A total of 63 numbers of teammates participated from the different implementing organizations of the ‘Our Lives, Our Health, Our Futures’ project participated in the 3-day planning workshop.