Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the World Children's Day and Child Rights Week 2020, aimed at raising awareness of the rights and needs of the children.
The premier opened the event as the chief guest from Ganabhaban in Dhaka on Monday morning through a video conference.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs virtually organized the opening ceremony from Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium in the city.
The prime minister also unveiled covers of a number of children's books (25 books) written on the life and works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Among those, a book titled "Amra Ekechi 100 Mujib" was published with selected pictures drawn by children, and another book titled "Amra Likhechi 100 Mujib" was published with writings of children, on the occasion of the "Mujib Year" marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu.
At the outset of the function, the premier witnessed a colourful cultural program performed by the children.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira and Representative of Unicef Bangladesh Veera Mendonca addressed the function while Bangladesh Shishu Academy Chairman Lucky Enam gave a welcome address.
Nabid Rahman Turjyo and Hridika Noor Siddique, trainees of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, spoke on the occasion on behalf of the children.
To mark the day, different ministries, divisions, city corporations, Unicef, Save the Children, Plan International, Aparajeyo Bangla and Shishu Odhikar Forum as well as other national and international organizations, chalked out elaborate programs marking the week-long Children Week 2020 that started Monday and continue till October 11.
The inaugural function of the World Children's Day was broadcast through Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and online media.
Special supplements, posters, festoons, banners and souvenirs have already been published marking the day.
