UNFPA Hosts Open Mic to Amplify Public Voices for Women’s and Girls’ Rights

To mark International Women’s Day, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) transformed Shahabuddin Park into a vibrant platform for advocacy today, hosting a public "Open Mic" event focused on the rights and empowerment of women and girls across Bangladesh.

Under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” the event drew a diverse crowd of women, men, and youth. Participants took to the stage to share personal reflections and collective aspirations for a more equitable society.

Listening to Lead
Addressing the gathering, UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh Catherine Breen Kamkong emphasized that sustainable policy must be rooted in the reality of the people it serves.

“Policies and programmes are strongest when they reflect and are guided by real voices and lived experiences,” Kamkong stated. “At UNFPA, we are committed to ending child marriage and preventable maternal deaths, but sustainable progress requires collective action, and that starts with dialogue.”

Progress Amidst Persistent Challenges
While the event celebrated Bangladesh’s strides toward gender equality, speakers were candid about the hurdles that remain. Key issues highlighted during the session included:

• Gender-Based Violence: Continuing to affect millions of women nationwide.
• Child Marriage: Remaining a reality for nearly half of the country's adolescent girls.
• Digital Barriers: Barriers to STEM education and the rising threat of cyberbullying.

Farhana Sadika, a student at United International University, spoke passionately about the modern challenges facing her peers. “Many girls are still discouraged from studying technology... and too often they face online harassment,” she noted, highlighting the Alapon Helpline as a vital resource for adolescent mental health and safety.

A Call for Collective Action
The Open Mic is a cornerstone of UNFPA’s broader International Women’s Day campaign, which uses data-driven storytelling to spark community-led change.

The organization reaffirmed its partnership with the Government of Bangladesh to ensure every woman can move "beyond survival to thrive."

The event concluded with a shared commitment from attendees to turn the day's "voices" into "action" within their own communities.