Workshop on women's digital rights, youth leadership held at AUW in Ctg
The programme aimed to equip young women with the skills and confidence necessary to engage responsibly in democratic processes.
A day-long women-only workshop focused on civic literacy, digital rights, and youth leadership was held at the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chattogram yesterday (28 February).
The event, titled "CivicPulse: Digital Rights & Youth Leadership Accelerator," brought together more than 35 participants from various universities and youth networks.
Organised by Students For Liberty Bangladesh (SFL-BD) in collaboration with the AUW Economics Committee and LOLA Chittagong, the programme aimed to equip young women with the skills and confidence necessary to engage responsibly in democratic processes.
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The initiative was supported by partners including CIVICUS, Accountability Lab, and the Digital Democracy Initiative, with The Business Standard serving as the media partner.
Opening the workshop, Effat Jahan Efa, project manager of CivicPulse and regional coordinator of SFL, outlined the goal of strengthening civic awareness and participatory leadership.
Delivering the keynote address, John Mathew, dean of Arts and Humanities at AUW, stressed the global relevance of civic literacy and how informed citizens are vital to sustaining democratic institutions.
The technical sessions featured academic experts, including Masud Kamal, professor of sociology at the Chittagong University, who discussed democratic principles and the growing role of youth in political engagement through digital platforms.
Another session, led by Dominik Whittaker, focused on digital rights, the challenges of misinformation, and the importance of responsible online participation through interactive group discussions.
During a hands-on segment on civic innovation, participants designed campus-based micro-initiatives addressing digital governance and community engagement.
Attendees who completed the full programme were awarded certificates.
Organisers announced that the CivicPulse initiative will culminate in a national summit scheduled for early April 2026, which is expected to host over 500 young leaders from across Bangladesh to showcase civic projects and engage in policy discussions.
