Two Bangladeshis among finalists of 2017 C`Wealth Youth Award

Two Bangladeshis - Towfique, a social entrepreneur and Ukhengching Marma, a Menstruation Hygiene Campaigner -are among the finalists of the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Awards.

This year`s group of finalists are recognised for spearheading projects that will contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals - a set of 17 global targets that governments have committed to achieve by 2030, according to a press release.

The shortlisted finalists hail from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Uganda and the United Kingdom.

The finalists were chosen by a panel of judges including representatives of Commonwealth High Commissions, Commonwealth organisations and young leaders.

The Commonwealth Young Person of the Year will be announced on 15 March alongside regional young persons of the year for Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean and Americas, Africa and Europe.

One of the judges, Angelique Pouponneau, Vice-Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Council, commented that "each of the youth awardees` stories has brought inspiration and faith that today and tomorrow are in good hands with young people as equal partners of development."

His work has empowered 600 young girls with knowledge about the Sustainable Development Goals. This led to 4,500 volunteers organising more than 500 programmes and projects. He also promoted the campaign `Know your SDGs` to raise awareness and reached out to 42,000 young people.

Towfique Ahmad Khan is a social entrepreneur who founded the South Asian Society and launched the `Girls for Global Goals` campaign. His work has empowered 600 young girls with knowledge about the Sustainable Development Goals.

This led to 4,500 volunteers organising more than 500 programmes and projects. He also promoted the campaign `Know your SDGs` to raise awareness and reached out to 42,000 young people. (Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality).

Ukhengching Marma runs the Menstruation Hygiene Campaign, an intervention programme aimed at empowering indigenous adolescent girls to live healthier lives.

She has been able to reach out to around 700 girls to raise awareness about sexual and reproductive health and rights. (Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation).

Source : BSS