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The Department of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Dhaka marked International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 with a youth-led dialogue highlighting the importance of rights, justice, and action for women and girls.

The event, titled “Visualizing Equality: Rights Justice Action for All Women and Girls,” was organized in collaboration with United Nations Bangladesh and the Local Consultative Group on Women’s Advancement and Gender Equality (LCG WAGE). It was held at the British Council on Tuesday.

Students of Dhaka University, policymakers, academics, diplomats, and development partners participated in the programme, reflecting on the global IWD theme for 2026: “Rights Justice Action for ALL Women and Girls.”

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, who attended as the chief guest, stressed that achieving gender equality requires both institutional commitment and social change.

“Every Bangladeshi has a duty in every house, street, and neighbourhood to change overall attitudes and cultural sensibilities, alongside the government’s responsibility through its institutions,” he said while inaugurating the programme.

UN Women Deputy Representative Navanita Sinha emphasized that broader development goals cannot be achieved without gender equality and urged men to actively support the movement.

“You are equal stakeholders in this struggle for gender equality. We need you to be champions and allies,” she said.

During the interactive session, Dhaka University students delivered short extempore speeches highlighting everyday gender biases, restrictive social norms, and challenges women face in accessing justice.

Diplomats and representatives from LCG WAGE also shared reflections following the student presentations and reiterated their commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Bangladesh.

“The speeches we just heard remind us that policy is strongest when it listens to those who will bear the consequences,” said Baiba Zarina, Chargé d’Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh.

Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks noted that gender equality remains an unfinished agenda worldwide.

“Gender equality is not a finished product anywhere in the world,” he said.

The event also featured remarks from Professor Sabiha Yeasmin Rosy and Professor Tania Haque of the Women and Gender Studies department, Professor Dr Taiabur Rahman of the DU Faculty of Social Sciences, and Stephen Forbes, Director of the British Council.

An exhibition featuring cartoons and other visual artworks on women’s empowerment and gender equality, commissioned by UN Women, was also inaugurated at the British Council.