On the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said that the state must become a partner, not a barrier, in fulfilling every girl’s dream. He stated that the BNP envisions a Bangladesh where every girl enjoys the same freedom, opportunity, and security that any parent wishes for their child.
In a message posted on his verified Facebook page on Saturday (October 11), marking the International Day of the Girl Child, Tarique Rahman made this commitment.
“As a father of a daughter, I know that empowering girls is not just a policy—it’s a personal responsibility,” he wrote. “When the BNP returns to power, we will implement broader programs ensuring education, safety, and economic freedom for girls.”
Recalling the legacy of his predecessors, he noted that under President Ziaur Rahman, the ready-made garments industry was transformed into a symbol of hope, providing millions of women with jobs, income, dignity, and independence. Later, under Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, girls’ education was established not as a privilege but as a fundamental right. Free education up to the 10th grade and the “Food or Cash for Education” programs helped millions of girls return to school, changing family fortunes and empowering communities.
He further mentioned that BNP’s landmark initiative, the Female Secondary School Assistance Project, established gender parity in secondary education and helped reduce child marriage, later becoming a global model for girls’ education and empowerment in developing nations.
Tarique Rahman outlined BNP’s future policy priorities for women and girls:
1️⃣ Introducing Family Cards in the name of female heads of households to ensure direct financial assistance.
2️⃣ Providing SME loans, business training, and financial support for women entrepreneurs.
3️⃣ Expanding educational and vocational opportunities for girls in both rural and urban areas.
4️⃣ Ensuring greater female participation in politics, governance, and policymaking.
5️⃣ Guaranteeing girls’ safety, freedom of movement, expression, and access to the internet.
6️⃣ Centering family and social welfare policies around women’s health, rural empowerment, and employment.
Concluding his message, Tarique Rahman stated:
“We do not speak in empty promises. We speak with belief, experience, and purpose. On the path to fulfilling every girl’s dream, we will make the state her partner — not her obstacle.