President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for strict implementation of a zero-tolerance policy to prevent violence and sexual harassment against women and girl children.
Safety of girl children must be ensured everywhere, from their journeys to school and the school environment to the online world and social media, he said.
"There is no alternative to strict implementation of the zero-tolerance policy to ensure prompt investigations, effective trials and strict enforcement of the law in cases of violence, rape and sexual harassment against women and children," the President said.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion held at Bangladesh Shishu Academy in Dhaka on Monday, marking International Day of the Girl Child 2026.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that positive changes in people's attitudes and mindsets were essential to ensuring the welfare of girl children. "Girls must be given equal importance alongside boys," he said.
He noted that girls were demonstrating their abilities and achieving success in various fields, including education, healthcare, sports, technology, mass media, business, trade and state administration.
Referring to the international achievements of Bangladesh's women's football team and mountaineer Nishat Majumder's ascent of Mount Everest, among other accomplishments by women, the President said, "These achievements are a source of pride for the country."
Addressing parents, he urged them to view daughters not as a burden but as a source of potential and promise. He called on families to ensure equal dignity for boys and girls and teach boys from an early age to respect girls.
The President also stressed the importance of prioritising girls' education and welfare over saving money for their marriage. "A girl's education is not an act of charity but a fundamental right. Ensuring her safety is a sacred responsibility of the family, society and the state," he added.
Introducing himself as the father of two daughters, the President said the issue of girls' welfare was deeply personal to him. "I see the faces of my own children in every girl child. Discussing their future is not merely a social and state responsibility for me, but also a matter of deep affection," he said.
He emphasised that religious values played an important role in fostering respect for girls and encouraging responsible behaviour towards them.
Urging people to uphold religious and moral teachings, he said, "Although daughters are blessings from the Creator, they are often undervalued and neglected in society. The moral teachings of all religions emphasise protecting the rights and dignity of women and girl children."
The President said child marriage was not merely a marriage but an end to childhood that disrupted education and squandered potential.
He added that child marriage could also lead to early motherhood, health complications, economic dependence and an increased risk of violence. The President called for greater access to adolescent-friendly services and mental healthcare in every upazila, alongside increased public awareness of helplines.
Addressing girls directly, he urged them to remain aware of their rights, continue their education, develop practical skills and prepare themselves for independent lives. "If they face injustice, abuse or oppression, they must inform a trusted guardian, teacher or the relevant authorities," he said.
He also highlighted the importance of learning martial arts for self-defence, noting that girls' success was linked not only to their families but also to the future of society and Bangladesh.