On October 27, Ratna Munda, a second-year student from Koyra Government Women’s College, stepped into the role of Secondary Education Officer in Koyra Upazila, Khulna, for an hour as part of a symbolic “Girls Takeover” initiative. During her time in office, Ratna issued guidance on key issues affecting adolescent girls in coastal communities, including the need for sanitary napkin distribution to address health risks associated with climate change and salinity.

Ratna highlighted the importance of reproductive health discussions within the Munda community and emphasized urgent measures to end child labor, prevent child abuse and early marriage, and increase educational opportunities. Her directives also included providing scholarships to Munda children and distributing essential health supplies in local schools to improve educational outcomes and wellbeing.

This “Girls Takeover” event was organized with the support of Plan International and facilitated by Parittran. Ratna officially took the position from the current Upazila Secondary Education Officer, Md. Abul Kalam Azad, during a dialogue session at the Koyra Upazila Secondary Education Office at 10 a.m.

The session was chaired by Md. Abul Kalam Azad and moderated by Parittran’s Project Officer Alauddin. Esteemed community members, including former Kapotaksha College professor A.B.M. A. Malek, Alhaj Sadar Uddin Ahmed, Advocate Anisur Rahman, Md. Al Amin Farhad, and NCTF Upazila President Shiuli Munda, shared their insights, underscoring the significance of empowering young women to lead and address pressing social issues in coastal Khulna.