Patuakhali Correspondent : A day-long youth conference titled “Success Stories of the Young Generation” was held in Patuakhali under the initiative of Nari Paksha, a member-based non-governmental organization, and under the “Rights Here, Here (RHRN)” project. Youth from Patuakhali Sadar, Dashmina and Kalapara upazilas participated in the conference. This conference was organized for the first time in Patuakhali district among the 8 districts in Nari Paksha’s working area.

At the beginning of the day-long conference at the District Shilpakala Academy on Monday (September 8), Jahanara Khatun, a member of the women’s wing, greeted everyone present and highlighted the activities and objectives of the women’s wing in her welcome speech. The entire program was hosted by Tasneem Binte Monir and Rubaiyat Haque, members of the Tarunyar Kanthaswar Platform.

The first episode featured a documentary that showcased the activities, achievements, challenges and success stories of the Youth Voice Platforms in the eight districts covered by the project. After the documentary, Afroza Akbar, Executive Director of the local partner organization, presented their experience working with women. At the same time, teenagers from Patuakhali gave presentations highlighting the various achievements of the youth of the district.

Jewel Rana, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Patuakhali and Deputy Director of the Local Government Department, spoke as the chief guest at the conference.

Special guests included Shahidul Islam, Deputy Director of the Department of Family Planning, Mujibur Rahman, District Education Officer, Abdur Rashid Khan, Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Development,

The open discussion, chaired by Project Director Samia Afrin, was attended by Chandukhali Janata Secondary School Headmaster Belayet Hossain, Patuakhali District Press Club President and Dainik Sathi Editor Anwar Hossain, General Secretary Abdus Salam Arif, and Tarunyar Kanthaswar founding member Zahirul Islam, along with other dignitaries.

The speakers said that it is very important to ensure correct information and healthcare for young people to adapt to the physical and mental changes during puberty. If the family, school and society do not work together, young people will not get the right guidance. Special emphasis was also placed on creating a safe and healthy environment for adolescents by preventing child marriage.

The women’s side highlighted that the “Rights Are Here, Here (RHRN)” project is working as an effective platform for youth leadership development, experience exchange, and social awareness creation.

The teenagers participating in the conference pledged to work actively to create awareness in their families, schools, and communities, ensure adolescent healthcare, protect rights, and prevent child marriage.

In the closing speech of the day-long conference, Zahirul Islam, founding member of Tarunyar Kanthoswar, thanked everyone present and declared the conference officially closed.