Empowered Women, Awakened Conscience, Shall Surely Resist Corruption

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today celebrated the International Women’s Day 2016 with the theme of ‘Empowered Women, Awakened Conscience, Shall Surely Resist Corruption’. A number of social mobilization activities such as rallies, discussions, orientation, human chain, seminar, women fair and quiz/essay/debate competitions were arranged by TIB’s Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCC) and Youth Engagement and Support (YES) networks across 45 locations in the country.

People from all walks of lives, public officials, professionals, civil society, media, and youth attended these events.
TIB also arranged a cultural programme in Dhaka's Rabindra Sorobar, Mukta Mancha in the afternoon. Various cultural performances by Dhaka YES  members including theme-song choreography, two drama shows by network partners, dance and musical solo by leading artists Kona and Anima Mukti Gomez enthralled the audience.

The hallmark of this year's celebration included according public receptions to two young girl athletes and a juvenile girl football team who recently brought glory for Bangladesh by snatching medals and winning in a the tournament. Both Mabia Akter Simanta and Mahfuza Khatun Sheela bagged gold medals in wrestling and swimming respectively in this year's South Asia Games. Mahfuza won gold in 100m and 50m breast stroke (women) and Mabia won gold medal in 63kg (women) weightlifting. The girls from Kolsindur football team of Mymensigh district were part of the Bangladesh National Football team that won the Asian Federation Cup (AFC) Under-14 Girls Regional Championship in Nepal last year.

After receiving the citation and token gifts, both Mabia and Mahfuza including members of the Kolsindur Football team expressed solidarity with anti-corruption social movement by signing up TIB's anti-corruption oath.
As part of this year's celebration, a video documentary highlighting women’s views in fighting corruption was uploaded on youtube.