The Canadian High Commission and Plan International Bangladesh (PIB) on Saturday jointly celebrated this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women at the residence of the Canadian high commissioner in the capital.
The day was celebrated through an event that featured the screening of a film entitled “Girl Rising” a feature film highlighting the power of education to change a woman’s prospects in the world.
Globally the day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was observed on November 25.
At the event, the Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Heather Cruden said: “The Government of Canada has made it a priority to fight violence against women, and early forced-marriage in particular.”
About the film she said: “Girl Rising is a powerful reminder that courageous girls, including Nishat Majumder [the first Bangladeshi woman to have scaled Everest] and Arzina, [a youth from Nilphamari promoting girls’ education in her community] here in Bangladesh, are leading the change around the world. As Keshob Roy [the winner of UN Youth Courage Award for Education] demonstrates, men and boys also play a critical role in ending violence against women.”
Elena Ahmed, interim country director of the PIB, said: “Tonight’s screening shows the impact we can have when we partner together in a cause that has the potential to truly change the world: educating and empowering girls.
“The film highlights that girls are powerful and strong and that they deserve to have equal rights rights they are often denied because of their gender.”
The event was attended by members of civil society, international organisations and government representatives.
