Mohammad Rezwan Adar is 15 years of age and a tenth standard student of the Police Line School. He aspires to be in the Bangladesh army to help his country which is one of the reasons that led him to be an active member of the ‘We Can’ student forum at his school. The student forum is facilitated by a campaign ally. The students join the forum of their own will. They share their personal stories, opinions and ideas about violence against women and gender. Rezwan has been an enthusiastic participant of this forum since the very beginning; he fervently believes that development of women’s rights is a serious issue, one that affects his nation’s future.

His second reason to join ‘We Can’ campaign is his own family. Rezwan Adar lives in a joint family and has one younger sister. “I remember my father drunk and beating up my mother since I was five, this was usual. He was an alcoholic. My mother never said anything, she remained silent every time. At the time I was little so I said nothing. I thought that it was my father’s right to beat up my mother. The one time that I asked him why he was beating Ammi, he said it was a private matter that I wouldn’t understand and that there is no need for me to worry about it.”

“Finally at the age of nine, I decided to talk to the Imam at my mosque. I discussed the trouble at home and convinced him to speak to my father. Soon, the Imam spoke my father, “Allah created you and your wife equally, it is wrong to beat her.” he said. ‘Stop drinking and stop torturing your wife; it is up to you to have a peaceful and happy life. Follow the laws of Islam and be a good man.’ My father has changed since then. Since then he has stopped drinking, smoking and beating my mother. He is a good man now”.

Rezwan feels that “there should be a group like mine in every area of Bangladesh and the world. They should go from house to house and person to person talking about violence against women and its consequences. This is the only way to end all violence against women at the family level and hence the society.” With this determination, Rezwan doesn't miss a chance to speak to his neighbours, friends and classmates to educate them on issues of gender and violence against women.