Gender inequality and climate vulnerability are deeply interconnected, said Sohanur Rahman
Experts have underlined the need for community-driven approaches to combat gender inequality and promote adolescent reproductive health in the country.
They also highlighted the pivotal role of youth in achieving transformative development, green and just transitions, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The calls were made in the Global SDG Youth Summit 2024, which began on Saturday at the Bangladesh Military Museum in Dhaka.
A session titled “Health, Wellness, and Gender Equality,” co-hosted by Wreetu, ARROW (The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women), and the Right Here Right Now – Bangladesh Platform, brought together change-makers to address systemic gaps in health services and gender equality, particularly in Bangladesh’s climate-vulnerable regions.
The session featured an esteemed panel, including Ranjeeta Silwal, programme manager at ARROW, who delivered the keynote address.
Panelists also delved into pressing issues, such as integrating mental health services into Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programs, improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, and implementing targeted policy reforms.
Highlighting the stigma around mental health, Moner Bondhu CEO Tawhid Shiropa said, “Our youth cannot thrive if mental health remains a taboo.”
Sohanur Rahman, a laureate of the Young Activists Summit 2024, shed light on the challenges faced by climate-vulnerable communities in areas like Satkhira and Kurigram.
Also the executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, Sohanur noted, “Gender inequality and climate vulnerability are deeply interconnected. To break this cycle, we need to empower young people and foster community-driven leadership.”
The session also stressed the importance of international collaboration and innovative policies to empower women and girls while ensuring the active participation of young people in decision-making processes.
The summit served as a platform to reinforce the importance of grassroots efforts and global partnerships in addressing persistent challenges like child marriage, mental health stigmas, and unequal access to health services, paving the way for inclusive and sustainable development.
Other speakers at the event included Dr. Mohammad Bellal Hossain, professor at the University of Dhaka, Amal Foundation Director Esrat Karim. The discussion was moderated by Umme Sharmin Kabir, founder of Wreetu Health and Well-being Foundation.
