“Unite for Peace” for International Day of the Girl Child 2024

Calling for Girls’ vision for the future

 [Dhaka, October 28th, 2024]: On 27 October, aspiring community youth leader Joyote symbolically carried out the roles and responsibilities of Gwyn Lewis, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh. Joyote being an active youth club member and leader, works for her community development and performs numerous activities such as- organizing rallies, stage dramas and distributing leaflets with the intention to eradicate child, early and forced marriages within her community. 

As the Global community marks International Day of the Girl Child on 11th October, Plan International Bangladesh has been hosting a series of takeover events to promote the abundant opportunities of girl’s rights. Takeover is a part of the global Girls Takeover campaign, a signature activity of Plan International. The theme of this year's International Day of the Girl Child, declared by the United Nations, is "Girls' Vision for the Future", seeks to empower girls, amplify their voices and support their agency to shape strategies and policies that ensure a better future for us all. Consequently, Plan International has adopted the thematic area- “Unite for Peace” for International Day of the Girl Child 2024. 

Over the day, Joyote attended regular tasks as well as meetings with the UN Resident Coordinator. In addition, she participated in a discussion on “Citizen participation in Bangladesh’s Voluntary National Review (VNR)” for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) organized by Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh.

Joyote said, “I will utilize this opportunity to support my community on a larger scale. I belong to a marginalized community and often feel undervalued. Through this takeover I got the chance to meet such a person who is shaping positive conditions for people like me and my community and their decisions can create important change for us” 

Joyote is also involved in community reformation activities. Recently, along with her youth club members, she filed a petition to the local government to construct a drainage system for their locality. After many meetings and diligent pursuit, a channel was finally built for them. They are now free from the challenges created by stagnant water in her community.

Gwyn Lewis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, stated, “Girls Takeover is a very important initiative. Joyote is already making a difference within her community, teaching young children and leading as a role model. I hope this experience will give her inspiration to think about even more opportunities and possibilities that she can bring back to her friends and fellow students. It’s wonderful to have her here today”.

This year, girls from different parts of Bangladesh are taking over the responsible positions of various Embassies, development organizations, corporate and business institutions, and various government offices for a day which will empower and motivate them to move forward in the future. Plan International intends to provide a platform for girls and young women to takeover leadership roles and challenge stereotypes around girls and leadership. It also wants to explore probabilities for boosting resourcing to girls along with the concerns and issues that are impacting their lives broadly. 

The GIRLSTAKEOVER campaign by Plan International is a powerful statement about the empowerment of girls. Girls can revolutionize their lives and communities when they are given equal opportunities and equal chances in life.