Nilphamari’s Laboni becomes British Council Country Director for one day

Laboni, class 9 student, of Nilphamari has performed the symbolic responsibility of Country Director Stephen Forbes of British Council Bangladesh for one day. She got this opportunity as part of the ‘Girls Takeover’ initiative of Plan International Bangladesh on the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child.

Laboni has been involved with a local youth organisation and is doing awareness work on prevention of child marriage, education, health and rights of girl children. Through this experience of hers, the opportunity for leadership of adolescent girls, increase of self-confidence and the importance of continuing studies have been highlighted.

International Day of the Girl Child is observed every year on October 11. On the occasion of the day, Plan International Bangladesh gives adolescent girls the opportunity to perform responsibilities symbolically in the leadership seats of various institutions and organisations through the ‘Girls Takeover’ programme. Through this, the right of adolescent girls to participate in decision-making and their leadership capacity are highlighted.

The global theme of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child is ‘End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights’. That is, importance has been given to ending child marriage and investing in the rights of girl children. The theme of the day in Bangladesh is ‘No more child marriage, girls will conquer the world’.

Laboni has said, “By participating in Girls Takeover I have got the experience of giving leadership and have come to know how important decisions are taken. This experience has increased my self-confidence. I have learned many things from experienced people and have understood that the words of adolescent girls like us also have importance. I want to share the experience gained from here with other youths of my area so that they also come forward to bring positive change in society keeping faith in themselves.”

Involved with a local youth organisation of Nilphamari, Laboni is participating in awareness activities on prevention of child marriage, education of girls, rights of women and girl children, health and cleanliness. Alongside making families aware about the harmful effects of child marriage, she has encouraged students who dropped out of school to return to studies again.

Besides, Laboni has also participated in distribution of sanitary pads for menstrual health protection of adolescent girls, activities on sexual and reproductive health rights, creating awareness about blood donation, tree plantation and cleanliness activities. The experience of these works has increased her self-confidence and communication skills. In the future she wants to become a doctor and serve people as well as encourage youths to get involved in social development works.

British Council Bangladesh Country Director Stephen Forbes has said, “We are happy to be able to be part of this initiative that encourages the development of leadership of young women and their active participation in decision-making. We believe that the opinions, experiences and new thoughts of young women like Laboni can make our work more inclusive and meaningful.”

As part of the ‘Girls Takeover’ programme, Laboni got the opportunity to know about the leadership and decision-making process of British Council Bangladesh. At the same time she highlighted the harmful effects of child marriage, the right of girl children to education and the importance of establishing leadership of young women.

Laboni wants to build such a future where girls will be able to continue their studies, will be able to take decisions about their own lives with understanding and will remain free from child marriage and discrimination. She wants to share her own experience with other adolescent girls of the area and encourage them also to participate in leadership and social development works.

This year multiple ‘Girls Takeover’ events have been organised at the national level. In these programmes adolescent girls are performing the responsibilities of leadership of government offices, diplomatic missions and private institutions symbolically. Through this, Plan International Bangladesh is highlighting the aspirations of girl children, their leadership capacity and the resolve to build their own future.