RANGPUR, Nov 27, 2024 (BSS) - Youth-led initiatives are focusing on preventing harmful norms such as child marriage and violence against children and addressing climate change and environmental issues at the community level in Rangpur.
 
The observation came today at a youth networking meeting jointly organised by UNICEF's Rangpur office and Rangpur City Corporation at the RDRS auditorium in the city.
 
Young leaders from 10 youth organizations participated in the event.
 
The young leaders shared their plans and visions with the UNICEF team to tackle harmful norms in Rangpur district, where approximately 59 percent of women aged 20-24 are married before turning 18.
 
The plans include community engagement, message dissemination and mobilization to raise awareness about child marriage and violence against children, other key behaviuoral practices in emergency response, maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition.
 
As part of UNICEF's multimedia campaign to prevent harmful norms, these youth networks have been teamed up with ward-level committees and local adolescents and equipped to work at the community levels.
 
At the event, UNICEF Chief for Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions AH Towfique Ahmed emphasized the role of technology and training in empowering young people as community connectors and changemakers.
 
"UNICEF continues to support youth organizations in addressing climate change, education, environmental issues and other social concerns. This engagement amplifies their voices and helps uphold their rights and opportunities," he said.
 
Addressing the meeting virtually, UNICEF Social and Behaviour Change Officer Monjur Ahmed commended the youth networks for their role in recent dengue response and HPV vaccination campaigns.
 
He highlighted how these networks are reshaping development priorities to uphold children's rights and promote social and behavioral change in Rangpur region.
 
The meeting resulted in several key recommendations, including organizing orientation sessions for teachers, local officials and youth leaders to act as community connectors and changemakers.
 
Capacity-building and advocacy consultations were proposed to promote social and behaviuoral changes against harmful norms such child labour, online safety, menstrual hygiene management, adolescents' nutrition and reproductive health.
 
Participants also discussed broader challenges faced by youth, such as unemployment, underemployment and inadequate skill development opportunities.
 
They emphasized the need for policies that promote youth entrepreneurship and facilitate the transition from education to employment.
 
UNICEF Child Protection Officer Jesmin Hossain, UNICEF Health Officer Dr Bikash Chandra Das, UNICEF Nutrition Officer Sheikh Shahidul Hassan and UNICEF Programme Associate Farzana Ferdausi also spoke at the meeting.