Farhana Afrin Sathi, a tenth grader, has made history as she served as the symbolic chairman for an hour in Joypurhat.
On Thursday at 10am in the Sadar Upazila Parishad chairman's room, the child parliament member Sathi took charge of the office as part of the “GirlsTakeover” campaign.
On the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated on October 11 globally, the event was organized by Yes Bangladesh and Youth for Change.
Sathi, currently studying at Joypurhat Collectorate Girls Bidyaniketan, fulfilled her responsibility as the representative of all the children of the district by accepting the invitation from the Sadar Upazila Parishad Chairman SM Solaiman Ali.
In the morning, Sathi was greeted by the chairman with flowers who provided her the details of the organization. He also informed the symbolic chairman about the administrative structure of the Upazila Parishad and various ongoing development activities.
Later, Sathi visited various offices, administrative rooms, and important buildings of Upazila Parishad.
While performing her duties, the symbolic chairman praised the distribution of free sanitary napkins to various educational institutions at the upazila level.
Apart from this, she expressed the hope that this institution will go one step further in development through the quick execution of the ongoing development activities.
Plan International's global program aims to build confidence in women and girls, promoting equal opportunities and rights, and empowering them to lead and succeed in societal roles.
Sathi said: “Although it is a symbolic task, working at an organization like Jaipurhat Sadar Upazila Parishad, being the chairman for some time is really like a dream for me.”
She said that she belongs to a middle-class family and made a promise to herself to be successful in life.
Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, she said: “If a woman can run the country as the prime minister in Bangladesh, there is no chance for the girls from the root level to be left behind. If everyone gets encouragement, motivation, and a little help to go ahead in the battle of life, then women too will be able to carry out the responsibilities in big positions with dignity.”
Upazila Parishad Chairman SM Solaiman Ali expressed his satisfaction with this program. Through the children's representative, Sathi, he urged all children to grow up as free-spirited and prepare themselves to lead the country's highest positions in the future.
He said: “Through the Girls Takeover program, girls will be encouraged and committed to fulfilling their dreams. The main goal is to inspire all the girls in the society to move forward through this program where women are not left behind.”
The #GirlsTakeover campaign aimed to empower and inspire young girls by allowing them to take leadership roles in media, entertainment, business, and politics for a day.
