Together for Change: RHRN’s Youth Festival 2024 Celebrates Youth Leadership And Health Rights
On December 18th, the “Together for Change: Youth Festival 2024”, organised by BRAC’s Social Empowerment and Legal Protection (SELP) programme under the Right Here Right Now (RHRN) project, brought together youth leaders, advocates, and partner organisations for a dynamic day of dialogue, creativity, and empowerment. Held at the Aloki Conference Hall in Gulshan, the festival served as a vibrant platform to celebrate youth leadership, strengthen capacity, and raise awareness on critical issues, particularly sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
The event opened with inspiring remarks from Shireen Huq, Chairperson of the Women Affairs Reform Commission and Founding President of Naripokkho, alongside KAM Morshed, Senior Director of BRAC. Their words underscored the importance of reclaiming public spaces for women and fostering a culture of safety, leadership, and inclusivity.
The panel discussion, moderated by Shashwatee Biplob, Associate Director of BRAC’s SELP Programme, centered on “How to Reclaim Safety in Public Spaces for Women and Girls.” The session addressed challenges, strategies, and collective actions needed to ensure safety, particularly for marginalized groups, while amplifying the role of young advocates in this movement.
The day-long festival was packed with activities designed to inspire, educate, and engage participants. A key highlight was the Youth Festival Video Competition 2024, where three winners were selected for their impactful video content on SRHR from among participants across Bangladesh, showcasing their creativity and commitment to raising awareness. Workshops and skill-building sessions were held on essential topics such as communication, personal branding, mental well-being, digital advocacy, and self-defense techniques, equipping youth with practical tools for leadership and advocacy. The Experiential Zone provided an interactive space where partner organisations like Share-Net Bangladesh showcased their initiatives and resources, fostering meaningful conversations on SRHR and youth empowerment. The festival also featured inspiring youth storytelling sessions, offering a platform for personal narratives of resilience, advocacy, and leadership. Adding a creative touch to the event, interactive art exhibitions, games, and wall art breaks allowed participants to express themselves and engage with one another, making the festival a vibrant celebration of youth voices and creativity.
The festival concluded with vibrant cultural performances and a musical surprise, highlighting the creativity and energy of youth participants. The Youth Festival 2024 successfully reflected its core mission to empower young leaders, foster meaningful connections, and amplify the message of gender justice and health rights. By bringing together passionate youth, partner organisations, and advocates, the event reinforced the collective commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and empowered future.