A new book called “Kotha Hok” (Let the talk flow) was introduced by officials of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Prothom Alo newspaper for the International Day of the Girl Child.

On Friday, the event was held in the Bangabandhu International Conference Center’s (BICC) Carnival Hall.

The book is a culmination of a public outreach campaign between UNFPA and Prothom Alo to encourage “Letters to Fathers and Daughters.”

Observed annually on October 11, the International Day of the Girl is the crucial global initiative that celebrates girls everywhere, amplifying their voices, actions, and leadership. The day belongs to everyone who cares about girls and their rights.

Participants came together at the BICC to reaffirm that our daughters are our future, and that a better future awaits us when we not only draw inspiration from their courage, leadership and innovation, but also invest in their agency and potential.

UNFPA aims to stimulate conversations around father-daughter relationships and promote positive social behaviors that challenge gender-based violence and the practices of child marriage.

Masaki Watabe, UNFPA Bangladesh representative said: “Girls already know and are fighting for what they envision for their future – the same fundamental rights that we all want: Right to education, freedom to pursue careers of their liking, autonomy over their bodies, freedom from violence, access to quality health services and information, and a seat at the table.”

Being a father himself, Watabe added: “While change begins with ourselves, it is not enough. As men, as fathers, we must reach out to other men and spark conversations on what it means to be good partners, and good fathers. And we must do so with a sense of urgency.”

With this campaign, he said, the UNFPA aimed “to achieve two things: First, to promote investment in women and girls, recognizing their inherent value and immense potential, and second, to engage men and boys as active agents in the pursuit of gender equality.”

The latest component of UNFPA’s celebrating daughters’ campaign, titled “Letters to Fathers and Daughters,” reached 8.4 million users (67% male & 33% female) nationwide on social media platforms, and engaged 4.4 million users.

An online sentiment analysis revealed that over 80% of comments expressed appreciation for the campaign’s core concept.

Additionally, 11 influential celebrities endorsed the campaign, 1.6 million people read the campaign’s news coverage, and 16 national and divisional events brought together over 1,000 fathers and daughters.

Despite the progress that Bangladesh has made with the empowerment of girls, there are some of the alarming facts.

Adolescent girls face the highest rates of non-partner violence, with 1 in 3 experiencing it. Bangladesh has the highest child marriage rate in the region with the slowest annual rate of reduction.

Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are among the leading causes of death for adolescent girls. A staggering 43% of married girls experience either physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

Adolescent girls are disproportionately affected by climate-related disasters and conflicts, such as the ongoing Rohingya crisis – facing heightened risks of gender-based violence, child marriage, and sexual and reproductive health challenges, the UNFPA said.