Calls for ensuring the participation of all classes people to achieving sustainable development goals

A seminar was organized by Wave Foundation, a non-governmental organization with the aim of empowering the underprivileged and actively participating in the development process of Bangladesh, as part of the Base Line Survey Report and International Women's Violence Prevention celebrations. Rajshahi Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Jaya Maria Perero was present as the chief guest at the seminar held at Nanking Durbar Hall, Rajshahi on December 8, 2021 at 11 am.

The seminar was presided over by Professor Tanjima Johra Habib of Rajshahi University. Liaquat Ali, Rashed Ripon, an executive member of the Federal Union of Journalists, Faizullah Chowdhury, the executive director of the Barind Development Unit, Rajshahi District Lok Morcha president Jamat Khan, good governance analyst Subrata Kumar Pal and many more. Chief Guest Representative of Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Rajshahi Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Jaya Maria Perero in her speech said that development is not possible by excluding anyone, participation of people of all classes and professions must be ensured in achieving sustainable development goals. The government is working sincerely in this regard. Non-governmental organizations also need to take effective initiatives.

With the financial and technical support of Christian Aid and the European Union, the Friend Social Welfare Society, along with the Wave Foundation, has taken the initiative to implement a three-and-a-half year program. The project is being implemented in 63 upazilas of 8 districts in three divisions of the country.

Advocacy and lobbying at the Union and Upazila level to strengthen CSOs and CBOs to strengthen their representation at the local government level as well as to integrate them into the mainstream by making them aware of their rights and ensuring their access to services provided by the Union and Upazila districts. He said that through meetings, radio campaigns, street drama shows, employment arrangements through lobbying with chambers of commerce and implementation of legal aid activities, 6 lakh people will be directly and 1.7 lakh people will be indirectly involved.

Wave EmmalMC's Project Coordinator Shamsur Rahman delivered the welcome address and Nirmal Das, the focal person of the program, presented a documentary on project introduction and baseline survey at the seminar. Program Officer Nazmul Hossain was present at the time. The organizing body Wave Foundation said that as part of the project activities, baseline and perception surveys will be conducted in 6 districts of the work area. It found that 39% of people were discriminated against in access to education, health, agriculture and social security simply because of their race, religion and ethnicity and gender identity. Also, 79% of transgender people say that they are victims of physical and sexual abuse. Following the presentation of the Baseline Survey data, the seminar inaugurated the year-long campaign demanding an end to all forms of discrimination and violence against women.