With the slogan ‘Building an equal society with the unity of youth’, a youth cycle march was held in Maijdi Noakhali on the eve of global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. On 24th of November 2022 Thursday, the march started at 11 am from Mujib Square in front of the Noakhali DC office. Circling the main road ended at Noakhali Shilpakala Academy and then march towards Begumgonj and Subornochar Upazila Parishad in divided groups. Noakhali District Commissioner Mr. Dewan Mahbubur Rahman and ADC (General) Israt Sadmin inaugurated the cycle march by riding bicycles. More than one and a half hundred young people including students, activists, representatives, and representatives of various youth-led organizations in Noakhali participated in the Youth Cycle Rally.
Expressing their concern over the recent incidents of rape, murder, and attack on women in Noakhali, the participants of the cycle march demanded effective initiatives to stop all kinds of violence against women, speed up the legal and justice system, and ensure a safe environment for women everywhere.
As part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence Participatory Research & Action Network – PRAAN, Noakhali District Scout, and ActionAid Bangladesh jointly organized the cycle march with the support of UNFPA. Different development organizations also participated in this cycle march.
The cycle March was inaugurated by Noakhali District Commissioner Mr. Dewan Mahbubur Rahman. This bicycle march of youth will play a significant role in preventing violence against women. A society of equality is possible through the active participation of all people.
Noakhali Nari Odhikar Jot member Abdul Awal, PRAAN Chief Executive Nurul Alam Masud, SHBO General Secretary Fahida Sultana, Prothom Alo Bondhusova Noakhali former Chairperson Sumon Noor delivered their solidarity take on this occasion. The speakers demanded proper implementation of an anti-violence cell in all government and non-government institutions including educational institutions as per the directions of the High Court, signing and complete implementation of CEDAW, and abolition of all laws and practices discriminatory to women to prevent violence against women. They also highlighted the necessity of ending psychological abuse-harassment of victims during the investigation, the inclusion of criminologists and gender experts in the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, and fostering swift disposal of all pending cases by amplifying the number of tribunals, etc. steps to bring a positive change.
