Centre for Peace and Justice of BRAC University celebrated International Women’s Day with Women Peace Café at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam, Trishal campus on March 9th 2022 through a series of events.
The events included a rally, pledge collection, seminar, peace adda and a brief cultural program. Ms. Tania Sharmin, Programme Analyst, Women Peace and Security, UN Women, Ms. Rifat Sultana, Director of Human Resources, BRAC University, Mr. Muhammad Badiuzzaman, Research Coordinator, CPJ, Mr. Zia Uddin, Project Manager,CPJ, Ms. Nilufa Sultana Sheta, Programme Coordinator and representatives from other Peace Cafes joined the WPC in the celebration of International Women’s Day. Dr. Soumitra Sekhar Dey, Vice Chancellor, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University and Chief Patron, Women Peace Café, JKKNIU inaugurated the program.
The theme for this International Women’s Day “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” recognises the contribution of women and girls around the world, who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.
Key objectives of the celebration were to learn the youth aspirations, achievements, challenges and way forward for making a gender-equal society, to highlight and honour the work experiences, challenges of women change-makers who successfully are dealing with pandemic challenges as well as advocating for climate change issues and to create fruitful dialogue to bring up the barriers which are presently obstructing equal participation of women in significant decisions. The celebration also aimed to showcase Women Peace Café’s activities and addressed effective aspects of sustainable future in Bangladesh.
The pledge collection process started from March 8 and continued till March 9, 2022. General students, teachers, representatives from all Peace Cafes, mentors, CPJ and UN Women representatives as well as university leadership took part in pledging. The theme of the pledge was based on the “break the bias”.
Afterwards, Six small projects namely Shoilosomo, White Dove, HARMONY, Protoyee, Oikotan, & Amra Anibo Ranga Probhat of Women Peace Café, JKKNIU showcased their activities through visual and artistic presentation. The guests and the audience highly appreciated the projects and encouraged the members to continue the work and advance peace-building in the communities.
Later, an Art Competition was arranged as a part of the celebration on March 07,2022 at 2.30 PM at the WPC office. The selected arts were exhibited on the premise later. Photographs from earlier competition were also exhibited.
The celebration of the International Women’s Day at JKKNIU campus also included a rally engaging more than 130 students from various departments of the university who registered for participation earlier.
Afterwards, the seminar took place at the seminar room. The main event started with the welcome note by Mr. Bake Billah, Chief Mentor, WPC, JKKNIU. Ms. Rifat Sultana, Director of Human Resources, Brac University gave her speech and inspired the students by her powerful words. She urged to the students to take of their mental and physical health and then serve the family and community. She also shared she is inspired by the activities of the youth. In her speech, Ms. Tania Sharmin, Programme Analyst, Women Peace and Security, UN Women appreciated the male allies who are also contributing to fulfilling the women empowerment and gender equality agenda. Mr. Humayun Kabir, Registrar, JKKNIU expressed his gratitude to CPJ and UN Women on behalf of the the Vice Chancellor for this timely initiative and shared his willingness to continue the partnership. Mr. Muhammad Badiuzzaman, Research Coordinator, CPJ focused on the background and vision of establishing the Peace Cafes and expressed delight observing the growth.
The flagship event of Peace Cafes titled as Peace Adda was held later on. The adda was moderated by Ms. Mahmuda Sultana Shorna, Project Assistant, Centre for Peace and Justice, Brac University. Representatives of others Peace Cafes took part in this Adda. Ms. Barsa Ahmed, Ms Habiba Sultana, Ms Sharmin Sultana Medha, Ms Jakia Sultana and Mr. Probin Tripura chronologically represented Peace Café, University of Dhaka, Peace Café, Brac University, Women Peace Café, BRUR and Women Peace Café, JKKNIU.
The brief cultural part of the event included a poem recitation by Mr. Nowshad Al Siam, Peace Volunteer, WPC JKKNIU and a powerful song by Ms. Aski Rongdi, general member of WPC, JKKNIU.
Mr. Zia Uddin, the project manager delivered the vote of thanks. He has thanked all WPC members, mentors, special guest for their support in the successful celebration of the day. Mr. Uddin concluded the events with an urge to work together to build a just, peaceful and inclusive society where every human being will be treated with equal dignity and rights.
