Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament Kayser Kamal on Monday said the prevailing social tendency to prioritise male children over girls is “not desirable” and must change to build a more equitable society.
He made the remarks during a meeting with an eight-member delegation from the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum, led by Badiul Alam Majumdar, at his office in the Parliament.
The delegation placed a set of demands before the deputy speaker aimed at strengthening the rights and protection of girl children. Chief among them was the proposal to declare 30 September as “National Girl Child Day” nationwide.
They also called for amendments to the National Women Development Policy and the National Child Policy-2011 to include specific provisions for girl children, alongside reforms to the Child Marriage Restraint Act.
The forum further highlighted the urgent need to address sexual harassment in public transport, educational institutions and workplaces. Responding to the delegation, Kamal said preference for sons remains a deep-rooted social issue in both rural and urban areas.
He stressed that ensuring the safety and dignity of girls is a collective responsibility grounded in both social and moral values. He also expressed concern over the health and welfare of women, noting widespread nutritional deficiencies.
“Most women in our country suffer from malnutrition. They are often the last to eat, the last to sleep and the first to wake, sacrificing their own needs for their families,” he said.
He added that it was particularly regrettable when such contributions were met with inappropriate behaviour.
Kamal also cited examples from countries such as Cambodia and Thailand, saying women there have made significant social progress that Bangladesh could learn from.
The speaker said it should include competent and experienced members to ensure effectiveness. He assured that necessary legal and policy reforms could be pursued through the caucus.
“The prime minister is herself a parent of a daughter, and the government is already implementing various programmes for the protection and empowerment of the girl child,” he said.
He called for coordinated efforts from the government, elected representatives, civil society and social organisations to eliminate discrimination against girls.
Both sides agreed on the importance of fostering positive attitudes within families to prevent violence and ensure a dignified life for every girl.
