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Gender-responsive environment for volunteers sought

UNB . Dhaka
31 Jul 2021 00:00:00 | Update: 31 Jul 2021 11:32:04
Gender-responsive environment for volunteers sought
Giulia Pelosi, Programme Specialist, Ending Violence against Women. — UNB Photo

Speakers at a webinar have said it is critical to promote equal learning opportunities and gender-responsive environment for skill development and volunteer engagement to foster incredible youth contributions.

The webinar titled ‘Volunteerism and Reimagining Youth Skills Post-Pandemic’ was jointly arranged by UN Volunteers in Bangladesh and UN Women Bangladesh on Thursday.

Women and Children Affairs Secretary Md Sayedul Islam spoke as the chief guest at the event. 

‘’We’ll look into ways to work on incorporating more young people, volunteers, especially female volunteers, to include them in different initiatives and design programmes around their overall development, promotion and recognition,” he said.

Subhra Bhattacharjee, Strategic Planner and Head, United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) in Bangladesh, said the positive effects of volunteerism can be very empowering for youth and young women in particular, providing access to social networks, new skills, and an influential role in the community for individuals who may otherwise have few formal routes to education or influence.

‘’If we can properly utilize the huge young population and turn them into a skilled generation and inspire them to volunteer then we shall have the asset to leading towards a smoother path to achieving SDGs,’’ said Md Azharul Islam Khan, Director General of Department of Youth Development.

Md Aktar Uddin, Country Coordinator, UNV Bangladesh, pointed out that volunteering engagement can be an alternative tool for promoting skill development and civic responsibility among the youth. 

He also stressed mainstreaming volunteerism and ensuring a gender responsive environment protecting the volunteers and youth. 

Giulia Pelosi, Programme Specialist, Ending Violence against Women, UN Women said youths in Bangladesh have been hit the hardest by the pandemic, with a disproportionate impact on young and adolescent women and girls. 

“Despite this, women have demonstrated strong and inspiring leadership skills and volunteered in different arenas -- from being front-liners to digital warriors in combating Covid-19.’’

Ligaya Laoeng Dumaoang, TVET Specialist, ILO Bangladesh said, ‘’Young people face a growing mismatch in skills, those they’ve acquired and those’re now in demand. Keeping this in mind, we need to foster ways to reimagine youth skills and new possibilities.’’ 

‘’The leadership and contribution of female volunteers created a great impact as front liners. While recognizing that, we also need to stress their skill development so that they can contribute more and work towards their protection,’’ said Alisha Pradhan, Founding CEO, HerNet TV.

The UNV Bangladesh and UN Women Bangladesh made the key presentation.  Volunteers from various organizations shared their inspiring contributions at the session. 

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