Debate competition builds awareness for National Girl Child Day 2005

Photos by Roobon, Report by Badre Alam Khan

`Our future will be built on the strength and beauty of reason,’ with this slogan a debate and Quiz competition on Girl Child Day was held in the Bangladesh Press Institute auditorium on Friday the 23rd September, 2005. The debate was jointly organized by the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum and the National Debate Federation, and the topic for the debate was Girl Children Finds greater hindrance in the Family for their development. Debaters from reputed educational institutions of the capital took part in the debate. Chairman of the University Grants Commission Prof. M. Asaduzzaman was the chief guest; MR. Hashan Ahamed Chowdhury Kiron the president of the National Debate Federation chaired the function and Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder moderated the proceeding of debate.  

Nasima Akhter Joly Secretary of the national Girl Child Advocacy Forum introduced the background of the debate and the function. Among the speakers and guests were many renowned writers, women leaders and women activists & politicians. They are women leader Maleka Begum, Prof. Shahria Akhter Bulu MP, President of the National girl Child Advocacy Forum Professor Latifa Akhand, Champion of language moment and writer for children Prof. Halima Khatun, Ex Chief Reporter of BTV Rafirul Islam Sarker, Vice chancellor, Daffodil International University and ex-vice Chancellor of the National University Prof. Aminul Islam and News Editor of ATN-Bangla Istiak Reza.

Main debaters were Afsana Abedin of Samsunahhar Hall, Dhaka University, Sejuti Rahman of Rokeya Hall, Dhaka University, Muhammad Masudur Rahman of Muhasin Hall, Dhaka University, Susmita Chowdhury of Viquarunnisha Noon College, Sayeda Tasnim Mahmood of Notre dame College and Mosfeka Karim of Viquarunnisha Noon School. In the competition quiz competition Aruna Sarkar of SOS Herman Mainer College, Mobassir Rahman of Mohammadpur Preparatory Higher Secondary School, Tamjida Jahan Sani of Kazi para Siddikiya Senior (Fazil) Madrasha and Md. Motainul Islam of little flower preparatory school.

The Speakers iterated that family is the first unit of the society. They urged to change the male dominating attitude in the family and to create an environment conducive to the development of the girl child, both the society and the family can play important role. They further said that only a sensible and good citizen with his able leadership can lead the country to prosperity and create an environment for equal opportunity for both girls and boys. At the end of the function the winners are awarded crests and certificates.

About 400 participant’s journalists, educationalists from different schools, colleges, member from the presses were present.