Ayesha, a college student, took over the role of Matiur Rahman, the Editor of Prothom Alo, Bangladesh’s leading daily newspaper, for a day on Tuesday. This was part of Plan International Bangladesh’s “Girls Takeover” event.
Ayesha symbolically performed the editor's responsibilities to challenge stereotypes about girls in leadership positions.
Ayesha, a 17-year-old with a passion for meeting new people, gardening, and participating in her community's youth forum, dreams of becoming a nurse one day. “I want to provide free medical assistance to those who are helpless and neglected,” she shared.
This initiative is part of a global series of events celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11. Its goal is to empower girls, amplify their voices, and highlight the importance of girls' rights. The United Nations theme for this year’s event, "Girls’ Vision for the Future," emphasises empowering girls to shape policies for a better future. Additionally, Plan International has adopted the theme “Unite for Peace” for its campaign.
Through this takeover, Ayesha hopes to inspire other girls who may struggle with insecurities about their appearance or abilities. “We need to stop differentiating between girls and boys and treat them equally—within our families, our communities, and our nation as a whole,” she said, advocating for equality and inclusion.
Matiur Rahman expressed his excitement about the event, stating, “We are thrilled to have Ayesha lead Prothom Alo for the day. This initiative shines a light on the incredible potential of young women like Ayesha, and I hope she inspires many others. On this Girl’s Day, we wish Ayesha and all the girls of Bangladesh a bright future. I believe that with continued efforts, Ayesha will succeed in life, and one day, she may truly become the editor of a daily newspaper.”
The “Girls Takeover” campaign sends a strong message about the change girls can create when given equal opportunities. It shows their strength and emphasises the importance of supporting girls’ issues and promoting gender equality.
