A 16-year-old girl has become mayor of the Tangail Municipality for an hour as a symbol of empowerment on International Day of the Girl Child.
Humaira Binte Harun, a tenth grader at the Bindu Basini Government Girl's High School, and the Vice President of National Children's Task Force (NCTF), Tangail, had taken over the responsibility from Tangail Municipality Mayor Sirajul Haque Alamgir on Monday.
The initiative was undertaken taken by non-government organization, Plan International, and the National Children Task Force (NCTF), to encourage the empowerment of women and raise awareness about the rights of women and children.
The takeover is a part of the global #GirlsTakeover, a signature activity of Plan International.
Humaira said: As a teenager, I feel proud to be the leader of a traditional institution like Tangail Municipality today. It has made me more confident and dedicated to accomplishing my goals.”
In addition to a number of specific projects, she has suggested several other ideas to make Tangail a better and safer city for women and children without discrimination or sexual harassment.
Mayor Sirajul Haque Alamgir said women and daughters can accomplish great things if they are given more opportunities. It is good to see a girl sitting in the mayor's chair and speaking from that position. The symbolic mayor's demands and recommendations will be incorporated into our action plans.
The event was attended by NCTF volunteers Nusrat Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, the municipal council, and others.