Rahmuna Afrin, an alumna of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and a passionate youth advocate with "Nari Maitree", proudly represented Bangladesh at the South Asia Regional Youth Conference held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The event took place on December 6–7, 2024, at the prestigious Cinnamon Grand Hotel and brought together 10 youth delegates from Bangladesh, among many others from across South Asia.
Organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), the conference focused on strengthening regional youth advocacy in the fight against tobacco.
Rahmuna Afrin shared the impactful work of "Nari Maitree" in raising awareness about the dangers of e-cigarettes and emerging tobacco products.
Her grassroots efforts and leadership in shaping public opinion in Bangladesh drew international recognition, especially for overcoming significant social and logistical barriers.
Throughout the conference, three central themes were explored: evidence-based advocacy, strategic social media engagement and countering corporate interference in public health policy.
Afrin contributed actively to these sessions, offering insights from her work and engaging in meaningful exchange with fellow youth leaders from the region.
Reflecting on her experience, Rahmuna said: “This conference gave me a unique platform to learn from other South Asian countries and more importantly, to amplify Bangladesh’s voice in the global anti-tobacco movement. I believe this experience will fuel my continued advocacy in the years to come.”
Rahmuna currently works as a youth advocate at Nari Maitree, a leading NGO in Bangladesh, where she is involved in a range of social development initiatives, including tobacco control, community awareness and youth empowerment.
The conference concluded with a certificate ceremony honoring the contributions of all participants.
The Bangladeshi delegation included representatives from several key organizations, including the Country Health Protection Foundation, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Drop, National Heart Foundation and NariMaitree—together showcasing the country’s growing youth-led momentum in public health advocacy.
