Share-net Bangladesh successfully concludes the 6th SRHR Knowledge Fair 2021 - Press Release

Course Code: MSJ11343

Share-Net Bangladesh has completed its course with a successful SRHR 6th Knowledge Fair of 2021, held on November 21, 2021, at the Spectra Convention Center in Dhaka.

Every year, Share-Net Bangladesh organizes the largest event in Bangladesh to raise awareness about various issues that are correlated with Sexual and reproductive health among citizens across multiple regions of Bangladesh. Till now, more than 300 SRHR experts, development professionals, and researchers have been a part of this event.

This year's theme of the discussion was "Climate change and SRHR." The experts, researchers, speakers, and presenters discussed the negative impacts of climate change on SRHR by presenting various data, research, and statistics.

Arnob Chakrabarty, the Managing Director of RedOrange Media and communications, presided over the plenary session with Dr. Nazneen Islam Khan, senior officer of ICCCAD; Dr. Ubaidur Rob, country director of population council; Ayesha Taasin Khan, director and head of Inclusive Citizenship and Education, Friendship; and Mushfiqua Satiar, Senior Policy Adviser of SRHR and Gender.

Dr. Ubaidur Rob said, "According to a recent study by Population Council, women living in the areas with a higher level of water salinity have a higher percentage of miscarriage and lower fertility rate."

"As a part of our Salinization Program, when we started to provide regular pure drinking water to women living in high salinity areas, problems related to their reproductive health like- miscarriage and pregnancy started to reduce visibly," said Ayesha Taasin Khan.

Child marriage is one of Bangladesh's biggest problems to this day; recent research shows it has an interconnection with the impacts of climate change. Dr. Ubaidur Rob mentioned, "In areas with frequent flooding, girls have to drop out of school due to the flooding. After being at home or shelter for a few months under impoverished circumstances, their parents usually decide to marry off their daughters at a very young age." He also added, "As we have a lack of evidence connecting child marriage and climate change, we must initiate research to gather data so that steps can be taken to prevent this in the future."

All the discussants emphasized the importance of government-level research, support, and initiatives to address the interconnection between climate change and SRHR as soon as possible because this will be the most effective way.

The event was followed by two thematic sessions about "Child marriage induced by climate change" and "Gender-based violence induced by climate change," where researchers and presenters of the topics explored evidence, and data and discussed about possible solutions.

Prof Dr. Bellal Hossain, Department of Population Sciences, University of Dhaka, discussed their work on RISE: Strengthening the SRHR knowledge and skills of NGOs on climate change, a notable initiative that focuses on SRHR challenges connected to climate change.

Toward the end of the event, the "SRHR Recognition of the year" award was handed over to Noor Suhaila Asjad of Orodhho Foundation, and Muktasree Chakma Sathi of Supporting People and Rebuilding Communities (SPaRC).

The event concluded with the launch of Share-Net's mobile app. This mobile app will provide updates on news, events, job opportunities, grant calls, knowledge products, research publications, etc.

2. Product Launch Press Release

The first-ever Bangladeshi automobile, "Bangla Car," is now on the roads.

The first-ever car made in Bangladesh, "Bangla Car," is soon to be launched in Bangladesh after the immense effort of Bangla Cars Limited, a sister concern of Hossain group of industries. The price of this seven-seater SUV is set to be 30 lacs taka only.

Hossain group of industries took the initiative of creating high-end cars in Bangladesh about one and half years ago. These cars are assembled with parts from various factories around the world like ISUZU from Japan for the engines and chassis parts from Indonesia. Nineteen vehicles have been sold already among the thirty-six they have made.

According to their representatives, all the functions of an expensive high-end car like Mercedes, Lexus, etc., can be found in "Bangla Car" as they have assembled parts from the best factories worldwide.

Features of Bangla Car

Bangla cars will have AI virtual assistant features that offer 100 voice commands and 28 distinct ones. It has a power pack 1.5 liters turbo engine, which lets the user shift between automatic and manual transmission. 9-inch infotainment display, multimedia console controller, USB & Bluetooth connectivity, automatic AC with climate control, multi-speaker audio system, built-in navigation, automatic power trunk, two-layer panoramic sunroof, and many more.

The interior is well-furnished with high-quality leather and prime-grade materials. The seats of this seven-seater car is specially designed to accommodate better legroom and comfort. To ensure safety, four airbags are placed in the steering wheel, lower mount, and dashboard for knee protection. The car also has a DVR camera system for the user's safety. This has been designed to maneuver around complex road conditions with its traction control feature which gives it the power to take short turns with stability.

Vision and goals of Bangla Cars Limited

Bangla Cars started with SUVs, but they are working on launching at least 12 types of vehicles like trucks, buses, pick-ups, 18-wheeler trucks, electric cars, etc. Their main goal is to start exporting these cars as the first car with the tag "Made in Bangladesh." The authorities of Bangla Cars Limited are hopeful that the government will support them to start exporting their vehicles worldwide. Once they are able to begin exporting, this will be a remarkable achievement for Bangladesh as this will be the very first time.

Bangla cars is planning to invest BDT 1.5 thousand crores in this project which will create employment opportunities for at least five thousand people.

The Managing Director of the Hossain group of industries said, "It is a great honor to be a part of the initiation of the first car made in Bangladesh. We are hopeful that we can start exporting our cars abroad from the end of next year."