Gender Equity Challenges and Our Responsibilities

Developing youth leadership and establishish Gender Equity in the society is one of the priorities of the Bangladesh YMCAs. This issue has been emphasized for several years. In order to strengthen the youths in these areas the National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh organized a two day long Seminar on the theme: “Gender Equity Challenges and Our Responsibilities” held on 7-8 October 2006 at the YMCA National Training Center, Savar. To create future leaders with the values of good leadership and gender equity were the objective of the Seminar. 23 youths from the 13 local YMCAs of Bangladesh and 5 youths from Norway YMCA-YWCA, Lars Linddmo Leinebo, Sonrre Kiil Saga, Geir Storli Jensen, Reidar Urenes and Ane Aamodt Aadland participated at the Seminar. Reidar was the leader of the Norwegian Group.

      Mr. Marcel A. Gomes, President, of the National YMCA ingurated the Seminar 

Marcel A. Gomes, President of the National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh inaugurated the Seminar. He expressed his view that youth has the power to change the society with justice. He requested the youth to attain more knowledge & wisdom to be a true leader and strengthen the Y Movement in Bangladesh. Duncan Chowdhury, National General Secretary welcomed the youths and explained them in depth about the reality of gender inequalities both in the YMCA World and Society at large. 

Youths at a Exposure Trip at the National Monument of Martyrs of our Independence

Ms. Roseline Costa, Human Rights Coordinator, Hot line Human Rights Bangladesh, Ms. Christine Richardson, Asst. Professor of Department of Law, Chittagong University and Mr. Reidar Urnes from Norway were the facilitators in the Seminar. They focused on the Gender Issues in depth, unveiled the discriminations in the society; discussed the Legal System and practices in relation of Gender, youth leadership and Challenges. 

The participating youths obtained a deep sense and insight through the discussion which opened a new window for them to see the real world more closely, especially the gender inequalities of the society and inspired them to work to lead the society to be more gender sensitive and bring about justice in the society. 

Youths participated in a cultural program

 Unity in community games