If women move forward in unison, no force in the world would have the audacity or power to get in their way, speakers told a discussion yesterday. While women are mothers, sisters, friends or co-workers to everyone, they are human beings above everything else. And they should be treated and respected as human beings and equal members of the society, they said.
The opinions came from the second national conference of Trinamul Nari Uddokta Society held at Chhayanat Sanskriti Bhaban coinciding with the International Women's Day 2011. The speakers demanded recognition to the house aides saying that 90 percent countries are yet to recognise housemaids as workers despite their contribution to the national economy.
Workers' Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon, ActionAid Country Director Farah Kabir, veteran media personality and an adviser to Ekushey Televsion Atiqul Haque Chowdhury, and representatives from women's rights organisations from India, Pakistan, and Hong Kong, among others, spoke at the programme.
Many socio-cultural, human rights and other organisations also took a host of programmes to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the International Women's Day with demands of equal rights, end to violence against women, and stop to religious edicts.
Directorate General of Women Affairs organised a discussion titled "Women development and empowerment" on the directorate general premises at city's Baily road to mark the day.
Director General of the directorate, Mohammad Ashraf Hossain, said for increased female participation in decision-making, the country needs a robust legal infrastructure and skill development programmes for women.
The Directorate General of Women Affairs observed the day in 412 upazilas of 64 districts with the help of the non-government organisations.
Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP), United Federation of garments Workers, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), Biplobi Nari Sanghati, Centre for Women And Children Studies (CWCS), and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), among other organisations, also organised elaborate programmes to observe the day.
Every year, International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 across the world. The United Nation's global theme for the day this year is: “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women”.
News Source: The Daily Star