BRAC on Monday organised an orientation meeting to introduce its five-year project titled “Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Reduce Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Underserved and Substandard Urban Settlements” at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room in Narayanganj.

The meeting was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sifat Uddin, while Deputy Commissioner Md Raihan Kabir attended as the chief guest.

The project aims to promote quality early childhood development services for children in Narayanganj Sadar Upazila and reduce gender-based violence through community engagement, awareness programmes and institutional collaboration.

Presenting the project overview, Project Lead Saifur Rahman outlined its objectives, implementation strategy and expected outcomes. BRAC Director (Education, Skills Development and Migration) Safi Ahmed Khan and Programme Head (Development), BRAC Education Programme, Md Moyazzem Hossain, also addressed the gathering. The event was coordinated by BRAC District Coordinator Suman Chowdhury.

Under the initiative, resource centres will provide daycare services, nutrition support, quality care and pre-primary education for children aged between three and six. The project will also offer legal support to children, their families and community members while conducting awareness campaigns to prevent gender-based violence.

Speaking at the programme, Deputy Commissioner Md Raihan Kabir said exposure to violence during childhood could have long-lasting effects on a child’s mental development.

“Children who grow up in safe, nurturing and violence-free environments are more likely to develop into confident and responsible citizens. Ensuring their physical and psychological development from an early age is essential for building a violence-free society,” he said.

BRAC Director Safi Ahmed Khan said the project would train home-based daycare providers, strengthen local capacity and ensure the sustainability of services through community participation.

In his closing remarks, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sifat Uddin stressed the need for strong coordination between government agencies and development organisations to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the district administration, police, judiciary, health and education departments, Narayanganj City Corporation, the Department of Women’s Affairs, BRAC, civil society organisations, educational institutions and representatives of the media.