On October 11, 2023, Bangladesh Open Source Network (BdOSN) celebrated International Girl Child Day with a grand event held in the coastal area, marking a significant milestone in their mission to empower young girls through STEM and ICT. The event, held under the project "STEM & ICT Skills for the Girls of Coastal Area (SISGCA)," was funded by the Malala Fund and supervised by the Bangladesh Freedom Foundation (BFF) in collaboration with BdOSN.

The vibrant celebration saw nearly 600 students hailing from schools in the coastal districts of Khulna, Bagherhar, and Satkhira participating in an "Essay and Quiz Computation." The event showcased their talents and a testament to the unyielding spirit of these young girls who are determined to break barriers and excel in areas traditionally dominated by their culture. That day, BdOSN organized an open online quiz computation for school-level girls from all over Bangladesh.

The "Essay" segment of the competition challenged the students to express their thoughts and hopes creatively. The topic, "আমি যার মত হতে চাই" (I want to be like), encouraged the girls to articulate their dreams and the challenges they face. Their creative writing skills shone as they eloquently conveyed their aspirations for the future.

In the "Quiz Computation," these remarkable girls demonstrated their prowess in general knowledge, IQ, and technology-related questions. A total of 20 questions tested their knowledge and problem-solving abilities, proving that they are no less advanced than their counterparts in the capital city.

The event's highlight was rewarding 36 students who exhibited outstanding performances. These budding talents represented schools from the coastal area, including Comrade Ratan Sen Collegiate Girls' School and Naihati Secondary Girls School, Rupsha, Bara Katali Secondary School and Perikhali Model Secondary School, Rampal, Shaheed Ali Ahmed Govt. Girls High School and Shaheed Kamel Model High School, Tala. Also, six girls were awarded in the open quiz competition held online in Bangladesh.

This event marked a festive moment in these young girls' lives, showcasing their potential and celebrating their determination to excel in STEM and ICT fields. The support of organizations like the Malala Fund, Bangladesh Freedom Foundation (BFF), and Bangladesh Open Source Network (BdOSN) has played a crucial role in helping these students break barriers and reach for the stars on International Girl Child Day 2023.