Joti: an advocate for children in Bangladesh
Joti, 16, a child leader from Bangladesh, received a ‘Begum Rokeya Joita’ award during “Begum Rokeya Day” last 9 December 2017 in their state. Named after Begum Rokeya, the award is a Bangladeshi national honour conferred on individual women for their exceptional achievement given by the Ministry of Women & Children Affairs, Government of Bangladesh. It recognises the pioneering contribution of an individual in empowering women and raising women's issues.
My name is Joti, I’m 16 years old. I live in a remote village in Kacuha, a district located in southern part of Bangladesh.
A simple girl
My father Krtittibas is a farmer – the sole breadwinner of our family and my mother, Mithila, is a full-time housewife. I have two other younger siblings Kripandu and Mridha, My youngest sister Mridha is a World Vision sponsored child.
Together with my sister and mother, I participated in various community activities organized by World Vision starting a few years back. In 2015 I took part of the Child Forum – where a group of children is gathered together to discuss our rights and responsibilities as children. I enjoyed our sessions and it inspired me a lot.
My family lives in a very remote village of Bangladesh. Before, we never got any scope to know about child protection or child rights. I never spoke comfortably in front of a crowd or to anyone unfamiliar to me. But after joining child forum I gained some sheer confidence that totally changed my life.
As a member of the child forum, we pass on to our parents the things we learned from our sessions. We learned the importance education, child rights, child protection issues including basic hygiene and sanitation. Our group has been collecting “charity fund”, which has been given to the deprived students in our community. We bought these students some school supplies and we encouraged them to go to school. Nothing is more rewarding than to help others who are in need.
Joti’s passion
My inspiration to work for the vulnerable people is my social responsibility. I became aware of these responsibilities through attending some training facilitated by World Vision. It breaks my heart that these issues - poverty, child marriage, child trafficking, child labour, and any forms of violence against children, hamper the growth and welfare of the children.
I feel that I’m the best version of myself when others feel inspired by the works that I do. I also feel happy when I receive good words from my teachers, neighbors, even our local government officials who recognise my passion to serve and inspire others.
When I started my work as a child forum member, some of my neighbors used to speak ill of me and complain to my parents that I might be spoiled if I go outside and work in public, as I am a girl. However, I proved them wrong. I became a strong advocate for children.
‘Begum Rokeya’ awardee
Just recently, I never expected that I would be receiving the state ‘Begum Rokeya Joita’ award during “Begum Rokeya Day” last 9 December 2017. It is an honorary award given by the government for outstanding contribution of an individual in empowering women and raising women’s issues for social development. There were many people and dignitaries around. I feel so honored and blessed.
As a child leader, my main contribution is to spread out my advocacy among young generations. I’m so passionate to take about child rights and child protection. Young people make up more than half the world’s population. We are speaking out and taking active leadership roles throughout society to ensure children play a central role in building our nation.
During my acceptance speech, I talked about the importance of education and motivated the parents to send their children to school. Education will really make a lot of difference. I conduct sessions to encourage parents to teach their children how to swim. Unfortunately, drowning is one of the leading causes of child death in our country every year. An average of around 46 each day and over 90 percent of these cases were children, mostly under five, according to Bangladesh Health and Injury Survey (BHIS) report.
Begum Rokeya has been one of my main inspirations. Because I’ve been inspired by her contribution, I’ve started talking about issues on child protection like child labour and child marriage. I mobilize the youth in providing support to underprivileged children through our charity fund. We also conduct special tutorial for the slow learners. Other activities include hygiene promotion and nutrition, which are beneficial for the welfare of children. I’m proud to make a difference in their communities, campaigning in our schools and to be a key activist for child rights.
Joti’s dream
I want to be a doctor in future. I want to contribute to my nation by helping poor and oppressed. I want children, especially the girls be educated and be aware of child rights and protection. I hope it will change society, encourage and sensitise people to break the harmful practices, cultural and social barriers to children, girl child, and women.
At the same time, I also want to stand beside my parents to make them happy and shoulder their responsibilities to grow personally. My ultimate dream for Bangladesh is to see no discrimination; no early marriage and all girls will be highly educated while pursuing a bright future.
Story by: Dina Patwary