The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of 'MenEngage Alliance Bangladesh' was held in a festive and democratic atmosphere. The meeting elected the non-governmental development organization 'Bangladesh Rural Economic Development (BRED)' as the new secretariat of the alliance for the next two years.

The meeting was held at the RC Majumder Arts Auditorium of Dhaka University at 10 am on Saturday. The program was moderated by the Coordinator of MenEngage Alliance Bangladesh Secretariat and former Chairman of the Department of Women and Gender Studies, Dhaka University and Head of the 'Design Thinking, Innovation and Gender Lab', Professor Dr. Syed Shaikh Imtiaz.

MenEngage Alliance Bangladesh is an active alliance of a total of 49 non-governmental development organizations at the local, national and international levels. Representatives of 30 out of the 49 member organizations of the alliance were present in person at this year's AGM.

At first stage of the meeting, two organizations expressed interest in taking over the responsibility of the new secretariat of the alliance. The two organizations are—

Bangladesh Rural Economic Development (BRED), Bangladesh Family Planning Association (FPAB).

Later, a transparent and democratic election was held as per the unanimous decision of the representatives of all the organizations present. AKM Anisuzzaman of 'Bandhu Social Welfare Society (Bandhu)' and Mousumi Sharmin of 'Concern Worldwide' were in charge of conducting the election. The representatives present at the meeting cast their valuable votes through ballots in utmost secrecy. After the counting of votes, 'BRED' won by winning the majority.

After winning the election, as per the rules, 'BRED' has taken over as the new secretariat of 'MenEngage Alliance Bangladesh' for the next two years.

After the election, the representatives of the member organizations present sincerely congratulated the new secretariat. At the same time, they expressed hope that under the new leadership, the pace of work at the field level will be faster and more effective in fulfilling the alliance's main goals and objectives.