Marija, a high-spirited girl, was born and raised in the rural landscapes of Jamalpur in Bangladesh. These fields, her playground, held numerous challenges for Marija, a 10th-grade student with a heart full of dreams. A long and tiresome walk to her school was not a hurdle, not even the sunlight or rain, but being teased every day by a group of boys frightened her.

Photo: UNFPA Bangladesh/Roberta Camera

"They used to make improper comments and gestures"

Marija expressed in the safe space provided by the UNFPA-supported Kishori Resource Center (KRC). She shared her distressing experience without fear, and in one confessional moment, Marija was no longer a victim. She was a championing advocate of change.

In Bangladesh, millions of girls face daily risks from child marriage and gender-based violence to adolescent pregnancy, restrictions on education, and difficult living conditions. These obstacles jeopardize their potential and hinder their aspiration to fulfill their dreams. On Marija’s way to school, she began experiencing harassment from a group of boys. The verbal and physical bullying was mostly unnoticed by others and kept escalating as days passed.

"I felt powerless and broke down," Marjia cried. "The worst part was, it became a routine. One day, I decided that I've had enough.” 

Photo: UNFPA Bangladesh/Samantha Reinders

Determined to reclaim her right to safety, Marjia found the UNFPA-supported Kishori Resource Center (KRC), a safe space where she openly discussed her fears and frustrations.  She regained her mental strength by having her friends by her side and the support she received from the KRC members, which created an environment to voice her concerns. Marija was referred to the Anti Sexual Harassment Committee in her School to raise her concerns. The committee took her concern seriously and promptly assigned a teacher to address it. They also ensured that the group was made aware of the importance of equal rights and values, as well as the legal consequences of sexual harassment.

"Initially, I thought it was up to the girls to protect themselves by staying in groups or avoiding going out after dark," says Marjia. "However, I realized that true change comes when both boys and girls are educated about gender equality, respect each other, and understand the legal consequences of harassment."

With the support Marija received from her parents, KRC friends, and her school, she felt empowered and heard. Marija dreams of becoming an administrative officer in her region, where she can mentor girls and boys alike.

Photo: UNFPA Bangladesh/Roberta Camera

As we celebrate International Day of the Girl Child, we must remember the importance of supporting girls like Marjia, who are driving forces for change in the pursuit of gender equality and a brighter future for all.

As Marjia put it, "Girls should be seen, heard, and empowered."

In Bangladesh, young girls are often forced into early marriages due to concerns about their safety when commuting to school or going outside, as parents perceive marriage as a safer alternative. To address this issue, the Accelerating Actions to End Child Marriage project, supported by UNFPA and UNICEF and implemented by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, has established critical safe spaces across the country, known as Kishori Resource Centers (KRCs). 

These KRCs have played a pivotal role in providing growth and development opportunities to over 20,000 adolescent girls, offering them gender-transformative life skills education in both rural areas and urban slums. The structured sessions within these centers cover essential topics such as sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, bodily autonomy, menstrual health, family planning, sexually transmitted infections, and gender-based violence. UNFPA remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that every girl in Bangladesh can grow up in a secure environment where she can fully realize her potential.