Date: 12 October, 2012

Presented by: Shah Vashwati MadhurimaBangladesh

Welcome to the Presentation Of International Day of the Girl Child (Asian Campaign)

Self Introduction….. I am Shah Vashwati Madhurima, 17 years old, the younger daughter of my parents and student of grade eleven (11) at the Government Gurudhayal College, Kishoregonj. My father is the president of the bar association in Kishoregonj District, and also the public prosecutor (district law attorney) of Kishoregoni. I am the General Secretary of Nari Uddug Kendra (NUK)’s led Students Forum (Youth Club), for defending young girls and women against violence. I learned karate for several years. I am also a debater and singer. I am risk taker who promised to protect and promote girls’ rights.

…….Self Introduction

As a graduate of Karate training of NUK, I had joined 1st South Asian Goju-Ryu Karate Championship competition in 25-26 October’09 held in Nepal organized by Goju-Ryu Karate-Association at Kathmandu, Nepal and achieve bronze medal. Karate skill helped me to develop my self confidence and self security skill, which enhanced my leadership ability.

Involvement with NUK’s Program

Since 2009, I joined in NUK’s Sports and Physical Activities for Women’s Empowerment project. During three months of Karate Training, I received 5 days gender equality and Women’s human rights training provided by Nari Uddug Kendra (NUK). I am also involved as a active beneficiary and partner of the NUK’s Girls Power Project led by Students Forum (Club) for defending young girls against violence and women’s empowerment). I serve as the General Secretary in Kishorganj.

Relevant activities of NUK..

NUK has been working for women and adolescent girls and youth under different situation covering both urban and rural areas. Some of the activities are as follows:

Gender and Human Rights Training to the Girls: I have got 5 days of gender & human rights, as well as leadership training. I acquired basic concept of rights and empowerment , as well as learned how to protect myself from eve teasing and violence.

Student Forum – There are 64 districts in Bangladesh, and each distric has a student forum containing about 50 students each at school level. I am an active member of that forum.

Career counseling: I attended a day long career counseling meeting and I understood that I am a human, not only a girl.  

..Relevant activities of NUK Self Esteem Development Training – NUK organize Karate Training, Football Training and Cricket Training to girls to develop their self Esteem. I have received 3 months Karate training in that program.   Livelihood Development Training is provided to vulnerable girls.  Women and Girls Platform: Marginalized and vulnerable (ethnic society) girls for their empowerment and 10 platforms have been established.

Girls and Women Empowerment Network – We work to prevent and protect girls and women against violence. Girls and young women also seek support from this network for protection of danger and for empowerment.

My involvement…. • I am involved with NUK facilitated girls student forum (Girls Club) for women’s empowerment in Kishorgonj as General Secretary of the Students Forum. I undertook social justice and legal actions against different kinds of discrimination, sexual harassment and other forms of violence faced by women which are committed in the family and community. • I received awareness and leadership training on gender equality and human rights for protection and promotion of girl’s rights.

Community Level

Personal Level

My Achievement

As a young community leader, I generally don’t face any problems but there was 2 incidents that is worth mentioning below:

◈ Harassment: Once on the way back from school, a delinquent boy followed me doggedly and passed bad comments. I chased after him a long way and got a hold of him. I bought him back my home, then my mother called police and handed the guy to police. He was finally released by the police.

◈ Eve teasing : Once in my college campus a group of boys entered in the college ground and badly teased us when all friends were sitting and discussing. I complained to my principal and necessary action was taken against those boys.

◈Protection against Eve teasing (4 persons)◈Protested and successfully prevented 4 child marriages through the student forum ◈Prevented poor families of 3 girls from paying dowry prior to marriage through the intervention of the girl forums.

Relevant Pictures

Karate Competition at Nepal

Receiving award (bronze medal) at Nepal

Karate team of NUK after landing in Bangladesh

Executive Director of NUK congratulates the team after

landing in Bangladesh

With NUK Karate team, holding trophy

With NUK Karate teamreceiving certificate

Discussion with a family to prevent child marriage

Successful discussion with husband and his family on

dowry reduction

Presiding over student forum meeting on prevention of Eve

teasing

Photo with 10 year old Fariha who was saved from

early marriage

Thank You