Khulna, July 3 (V7N)- The "Shomotay Tarunno: Youth for Equality Project" was officially launched in Khulna Division on Wednesday (July 3, 2024). The project aims to prevent gender-based violence, break negative gender stereotypes, and strengthen youth and youth-led organizations at both national and local levels.
 
Mohammad Yusuf Ali, Deputy Director of the Local Government Department in Khulna, served as the chief guest at the launch ceremony held at the CSS Ava Center in Khulna. Special guests included Anindita Roy, Director of the Divisional Social Services Office, Khulna, and Amitabh Biswas, Trainer at the Department of Youth Development, Khulna.
 
The event was attended by representatives from public and private institutions, youth-led organizations, media professionals, and members of Plan International Bangladesh and JAAGO Foundation Trust.
 
Chief Guest Yusuf Ali praised the project, stating, "Shomotay Tarunno is unique as it engages content creators, social media influencers, and media workers to break negative stereotypes in society." He also assured government support for the project's smooth implementation in Khulna Division.
 
Special Guest Amitabh Biswas highlighted the synergy between the project and the Department of Youth Development (DYD), expressing DYD's commitment to cooperating with the project's implementation. Anindita Roy commended the initiative for its potential to effectively break gender discriminatory stereotypes, particularly through content creators whose work is widely viewed by youth on social media.
 
Funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), this four-year project will be jointly implemented by Plan International Bangladesh and JAAGO Foundation Trust across all eight divisions of Bangladesh. It will involve youth and youth-led organizations, the National Youth Council, ethnic minorities, individuals with special needs and diverse identities, students, teachers, and media professionals.
 
The project aims to engage 13,515 direct participants, including 12,690 youths from 252 local youth-led organizations, 75 members of the National Youth Council, 350 local content creators and social media influencers, and 475 media professionals, education authorities, teachers, and government officials. Additionally, the project plans to reach 2 million people through digital media campaigns and related activities to promote gender equality and dismantle negative gender stereotypes in Bangladeshi society.
 
END/SDK/DK/