A three-day beach carnival promoting child protection, preventing gender-based violence and empowering adolescent girls through sports concluded in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday.
Held from December 15 to 17 at the Hotel Seagull premises, the Annual Sports Competition & Beach Carnival 2025 attracted wide participation from young people, community members and development partners.
The programme was organised by JAAGO Foundation Trust, a non-profit organisation working nationwide on education, youth development and gender equality, in collaboration with UNICEF Bangladesh under the Shopner Sharothi – Sea Shore Girls project.
Through sports and creative activities, the carnival focused on building confidence among coastal girls while promoting a safe and inclusive environment for children.
On the opening day, participants took part in an art competition on child rights and gender equality, followed by a puppet show and a cultural performance by local band Penoa.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by District Education Office District Education Officer Mohammad Golam Mostafa, Department of Youth Development Deputy Director Md Moazzem Hossain, District Sports Office District Sports Officer Md Alauddin and Cox’s Bazar Tourist Police representative Anisur Rahman.
Presiding over the session, JAAGO Foundation Trust Founder and Executive Director Korvi Rakshand said the initiative aimed to create opportunities for girls to grow with confidence through sports and community engagement.
Programmes on the second day marked Victory Day alongside awareness activities focusing on child protection, social safety and gender equality.
A key attraction of the day was the final heat of the surfing competition for project trainees, where girls displayed balance and skill under the supervision of surf instructor Shiru.
Winning the competition, Anjuman Akter impressed the audience with her confident performance on the waves.
Alongside the competition, an interactive drama on violence prevention, a magic show carrying child safety messages and a cultural programme were staged.
The events were attended by District Primary Education Office District Primary Education Officer Md Shahin Mia and Bureau of Non-Formal Education Assistant Director Gulshan Akter as guests of honour.
Beginning the final day, a youth talent show allowed participants to showcase music, dance, poetry and comedy performances.
Later, an educational puppet show delivered messages on child rights and safety to the audience.
In the afternoon, a panel discussion titled Sports for development explored the role of sports in child development, tourism promotion and community empowerment.
Concluding the carnival, an award ceremony honoured surfing champions and youth performers before a cultural finale.
The closing ceremony was attended by Directorate of Sports Director Joint Secretary Md Mahbubur Rahman, UNICEF Bangladesh Child Protection Specialist Sundar Kanal and UNICEF Bangladesh Child Protection Officer Fatema Khyrunnahar.
Directorate of Sports Director Joint Secretary Md Mahbubur Rahman said the Sea Shore Girls project was breaking traditional social barriers and unlocking the potential of adolescent girls.
“The confidence these girls gain by battling the waves of the sea will give them courage in every step of their lives,” he said.
UNICEF Bangladesh Child Protection Officer Fatema Khyrunnahar said the festival aimed to raise public awareness about child protection and gender equality.
She said the increased self-confidence of the girls through the project had brought communities closer to creating a safer environment for children.
JAAGO Foundation Trust Programme Implementation Department Senior Manager Iftikhar Ul Karim said the project focused on developing leadership among adolescent girls through sports while ensuring a safe social environment.
“We believe these girls will play a key role in building a gender-equal Bangladesh,” he said.
The programme ended with prize distribution and a celebratory cultural event.
At the close, guests and parents expressed their commitment to creating a safe and inclusive society for girls in the coastal region.
