Bashundhara Shuvosangho organised an awareness-raising discussion session in Feni’s Sonagazi upazila on Wednesday to alert villagers and school students against social malaise like child marriage, dowry, eve-teasing and drug abuse.
The discussion was held in the upazila’s RM Hat K High School.
Shuvosangho Sonagazi upazila unit General Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Hossain presided over the session, while noted social activist Mokarram Ali Chowdhury Shahad attended as chief guest.
The school’s Headmaster Mizanur Rahman was present as special guest.
Mokarram Ali Chowdhury said crises like child marriage, dowry, women’s sexual harassment and narcotics addiction prevails even in the modern era largely owing to lack of people’s awareness.
He called on every strata of societies – families, educational institutions and social organisations – to jointly resist such problems.
In the discussion, the speakers noted that child marriage pushes a teenage girl’s education, dreams, and future into uncertainty. At the same time, it increases maternal mortality, child mortality, and health risks. They also commented that the dowry system is one of the major causes of violence against women.
Regarding eve-teasing, the speakers said that families and society must become more responsible to ensure women's safety. To build social resistance, awareness and a spirit of protest at the local level are essential.
In their remarks against drugs, the speakers said that drugs are currently one of the biggest threats to the youth. Once a person becomes involved with drugs, it has negative impacts on the individual, family, and society as a whole. Therefore, emphasis was placed on engaging young people in sports, cultural activities, and positive social initiatives.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
