From digital safety to gender equality: dialogue with local government on youth in Gaibandha
Photo: Collected
A discussion with local government authorities was held in Gaibandha with the aim of helping young people become more skilled in tackling gender discrimination, digital safety, media awareness and policy initiatives in the public interest.
Srijonshil Gaibandha Foundation organised the meeting at 10am on Tuesday (27 October) in the conference room of ‘Deshi Bhoj’ on Circular Road in the town. It was held under the ‘Somotay Tarunno’ project.
Local government officials, educationists, advisers to the organisation, youth representatives, teachers and journalists took part. The discussion focused on prevailing notions about gender, digital safety, media literacy and policy initiatives in the public interest.
Present at the meeting were Srijonshil Gaibandha Foundation adviser and former principal of Gaibandha Government College Professor Khalilur Rahman, the organisation’s advisers Afroza Begum Lupu and ABM Zillur Rahman, Gaibandha Sadar Upazila Social Services Officer Nasir Uddin Shah and Upazila Youth Development Officer Sujan Mia.
Others present included the foundation’s founder and president Mehedi Hasan, project officer Athar Mihda Tuba, accounts officer Ranjan Debnath, local teachers, journalists and guests.
The meeting stressed ending gender-based discrimination and social prejudice, equal rights for women and men, protecting personal information online, preventing cyber harassment and spotting misinformation spread on social media. Speakers also talked about making young people aware of using the media responsibly, verifying information and moving safely in the digital world.
The need to build youth leadership, involve young people in local decision-making and strengthen communication and coordination between local government and youth organisations was also raised. Participants felt that if planning gives weight to young people’s views and experience, solutions to various local social problems and positive change are possible.
The discussion also emphasised increasing young people’s social responsibility, establishing human rights, building a gender-equal society and staying active in public awareness work. Such initiatives are expected to boost cooperation among government bodies, the media, educational institutions and youth organisations.
According to the organisers, the meeting under the ‘Somotay Tarunno’ project will play a major role in raising young people’s awareness, leadership skills and participation in local development work. Srijonshil Gaibandha Foundation is a youth-led, non-profit voluntary organisation working to build an inclusive and sustainable society through education, youth development, climate action, social innovation and community capacity building.
District angle
According to the Population and Housing Census 2022, Gaibandha district has a population of 25 lakh 62 thousand 233, up from 23 lakh 79 thousand 255 in the 2011 census, according to census data compiled by citypopulation.de.
According to the same source, the district is divided into seven upazilas: Sadar, Gobindaganj, Palashbari, Fulchhari, Sadullapur, Saghata and Sundarganj.
At a glance
According to a notice published in Jugantor on 30 August, the ‘Somotay Tarunno: Youth for Equality’ project is being run by Plan International Bangladesh and JAAGO Foundation Trust with support from the government of the Netherlands.
Sources
Original report: Bangladesh Pratidin
Background sources: citypopulation.de, date not given; Jugantor, 30 August 2026
