PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Speakers at an event yesterday expressed their aspiration to build a country free from violence and discrimination against women and children.

They made the call during the launch of the “Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership in Bangladesh” project, organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) at a city hotel.

Speaking as the chief guest, Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid said, “We need to support grassroots-level organisations to empower women, the way Manusher Jonno Foundation does. We should also have a policy where both government and non-government organisations work in coordination to achieve national priorities.”

She also emphasised that ending violence against women and children will be a national priority this year.

Praising MJF’s role as “exemplary”, she said the organisation has strengthened women-led and women-managed organisations and helped build a violence-free Bangladesh.

Over the past 18 years, MJF has not only provided support to hundreds of small and large non-governmental organisations across the country, she said, but has also helped them become well-organised and efficient, said Sharmeen S Murshid, also the social welfare adviser.

“As a result, many of these “The

Participants at the launching ceremony of a project ‘Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership in Bangladesh’, organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation, at a hotel in Dhaka yesterday. Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid was present as the chief guest. Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh also attended the event.

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