Tareen Rahman :
International Women’s Day was observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe on Sunday through holding discussions, organizing human chains and rallies, and bringing out colourful processions. It was an excellent opportunity for all to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality at every sphere of life.
The theme of the day this year is ‘Empowering Women – Empowering Humanity: Picture It!’
Different socio-cultural organisations have chalked out various programmes to mark the day.
In the capital, the day began with lightening of candles by several hundred students at the Central Shaheed Minar premises at 12 midnight last night, followed by an oath taking ceremony. Noted personality Sultana Kamal administered the oath taking ceremony.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on this occasion.
The President urged all to work together to protect the rights of women, ensure their empowerment and equal opportunities considering their contribution to family, society and the state.
In her message, the Prime Minister called upon all to make a promise to create a world based on equality in order to ensure women’s human rights, logical rights, empowerment and dignity.
The Action/2015 Bangladesh Coalition, a human mobilization organization, hosted a `boat rally’ in the River Brahmaputra in Mymensingh town to mark the day where there were many enthusiastic participants.
Colourful processions were brought out in the capital and other divisional cities where ministers, senior government and non-government officials, and women rights activists joined along with the common people.
A local development organization, Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad, formed a human chain in front of the High Court in the city yesterday. Nilufar Begum, a renowned woman activist, said, “We’re demanding just rights for women in every sphere of life as women are largely contributing to the development.”
Naripakkha, another local organization, staged a cultural programme with the theme ‘Prevent early marriage, stop women repression’.
A few other organizations also arranged programmes to pay due respect to the talented and successful women in their respective fields.
Marking the day, ATN Bangla aired a special programme ‘Aparajita’, featuring the Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury. She discussed her childhood, academic, professional and personal life, political ideals and future plans to the audience.
A special TV drama ‘Jibon Bodol’ was also aired by NTV marking International Women’s Day which was written by Mahmud Didar and directed by Ashikur Rahman. The play casts Aparna Ghosh, Arfan Nisho, Nazira Ahmed Mou and Pranab Sarkar Opu in the central roles.
In Kishoregonj, the District Administration, District Women’s Affairs Organization and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) arranged discussion and rally to mark the day. The main topic of discussion was women’s human rights, logical rights, empowerment and dignity.
The meeting, held at Local Art Council Hall in the town on Sunday, was presided over by ADC (G) Md. Jamil Ahmed. It was addressed, among others, by District Women’s Affairs Officer, Kaniz Yasmin, Sadar UNO Md. Ferdous, and Sadar Upazilla Vice-Chairman Kamrun Nahar Luna. Later, a colourful rally was brought out in the town.
