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In a significant stride towards combating tobacco usage and enhancing tobacco control laws, the establishment of the 'Anti-Tobacco Parliamentary Women's Forum' has been announced. This forum, initiated with the vision of achieving a tobacco-free Bangladesh as declared by the Honorable Prime Minister in 2040, marks a pivotal moment in the nation's public health agenda.
Under the leadership of Shaheen Aktar Dolly, the esteemed Executive Director of Nari Maitree, a leading non-governmental development organization, the inaugural session of the forum unfolded on Monday (25 March) at the prestigious Sonargaon Hotel. Hosted by Nari Maitree, the gathering was meticulously designed to unite female Members of Parliament, galvanizing their collective efforts towards advocating for robust tobacco control measures.
The event served as a platform for esteemed dignitaries and passionate advocates to converge, echoing their unwavering commitment to combatting the scourge of tobacco addiction and its detrimental effects on public health.The Anti-Tobacco Parliamentary Women's Forum is a dynamic coalition of female Members of Parliament, united in their mission to combat tobacco use and promote public health in Bangladesh. Through legislative advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and strategic partnerships, the forum endeavors to effect meaningful change and create a tobacco-free society for future generations.
At the meeting, Shabnam Jahan Shila, Member of Parliament for Women's Seat-24, was appointed as the convener of the forum, which consists of thirteen distinguished members representing various constituencies. Notable members include Mahfuza Sultana (Seat-6), Jara Jabin Mahbub (Seat-7), Parveen Jaman (seat-9), Sheikh Anar Koli Putul (seat-30), Sanjida Khanam (seat-32), Masuda Siddiqi Rozi (seat-34), Farida Yasmin (seat-35), Nazma Aktar (seat-37), Laila Parveen (seat-13),Ashrafunnahar (seat-44), Hasina Bari Chowdhury (seat-31), and Anima Mukti Gomez (seat-29)
The forum's agenda encompasses a multifaceted approach to address the challenges posed by tobacco consumption, focusing particularly on safeguarding women and children from its detrimental effects. Speakers at the meeting emphasized the urgent need for legislative amendments to the existing Tobacco Control Law, highlighting the grave health risks associated with both active and passive smoking.
Shaheen Akter Dolly, underscored the progress made by Members of Parliament towards realizing a tobacco-free Bangladesh. She reaffirmed their commitment to public health development and expressed optimism for future collaborative initiatives.
The convener, Shanam Jahan Shila, emphasized the forum's role in advocating for swift legislative action to mitigate the adverse effects of tobacco use, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in achieving this goal.
Mustafizur Rahman, former secretary of Bangladesh Chemical industry Corporation and the Lead Policy Advisor for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Bangladesh, echoed the urgency of addressing tobacco-related mortality and underscored the need for heightened awareness to protect vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, from tobacco-related harm.
As the forum sets its sights on future endeavors, including awareness campaigns and policy advocacy for the tobacco control law amendment, all the forum members of parliament remain committed to advancing the cause of tobacco control in Bangladesh.
Messenger/Mumu
