Participation of mass people is vital to ensure civic services for the poor and marginalised communities and children, said development activists and journalists at a workshop in Rajshahi on Wednesday.
They viewed that participation of the mass people was essential for transparent and accountable delivery of the services. The district level workshop titled ‘claiming rights of children to water, sanitation and hygiene in Bangladesh’ was organised by VERC in the city in collaboration with Water Aid Bangladesh.
Water Aid programme officer Mahfuzur Rahman said the project aimed to protect the rights of children in basic services like water, sanitation and hygiene.
The project is working for building link between service provider and receivers through creating awareness about the civic services, he added.
In the open discussion session, journalists underscored the need for
ensuring safe drinking water and hygiene for the poor and extreme poor communities in rural areas for improving their standard of living.
Besides, they urged the authorities concerned to ensure water, sanitary and hygiene facilities for the vulnerable communities as early as possible.
Among others, advocacy officer of VERC Doulatunnesa Bina, Rajshahi Press Club president Anowarul Alom Fatik, City Press Club president Mohammad Zulfikar, Metropolitan Press Club president Mahtab Uddin also spoke on the occasion.
Some 50 people, including newsmen, union council chairmen, members, school teachers, students, social welfare and NGO activists, took part in the daylong workshop.
Additional deputy commissioner of Rajshahi Dewan Mohammod Abdus Samad attended the
workshop as chief guest while VERC regional coordinator Tapon Kumar Shaha presided over the programme.
-With New Age input
