Int’l Women’s Day observed

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BSS, Chattogram :
The International Women’s Day was observed in port city and its adjacent districts in a befitting manner on Friday with the focus on gender equality and empowerment of women.
The theme for International Women’s Day this year was “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”, which puts innovation by women and girls, for
women and girls, at the heart of efforts to achieve gender equality.
The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), District and Upazila Administrations, Department of Women’s Affairs (DWA), different NGOs, socio-
cultural and professional bodies chalked out elaborate programmes in observance of the day in all upazilas and districts.
The day’s programmes included releasing balloons, bringing out colourful rallies, seminars, discussion meetings and cultural functions.
The CCC brought out a colourful rally carrying banners and festoons and formed a hour-long human chain on Chattogram Press Club premises. The rally ended on the city corporation premises after parading different city streets.
The day was observed with a fresh vow to ensure equal participation of women in development, economy, governance, policy making affairs and different professions for building a middle-income Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Nari Progoti Sanga, Chattogram brought out a colourful rally from city’s DC Hill premises which paraded different city streets.
The speakers emphasized the need for freeing society from gender discrimination to establish a non-discriminatory and equitable society.
They thanked the present government for taking various steps to ensure women empowerment and establishing equal rights for them. They called for enhancing social dignity and honor for women.
Rangamati Correspondent adds: Speakers at a discussion on Friday stressed the need for ensuring equal rights for women.
Parbatya Chattogram Mahila Samity and Hill Women’s Federation organised the programme at Shilpakhala Academy in Rangamati town, marking International Women’s Day.
Ushatan Talukder, vice president of Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samity (PCJSS), was present as the chief guest.
Ushatan said equal rights for women will not be ensured without proper evaluation which is crucial for development in the country. Even after the CHT peace accord, violence against women -including rape and torture – are still taking place in the region, he said.
“We have to change our mindset towards women,” he added.
Kalpana Chakma, women affairs secretary of the Samity’s central committee; Prokriti Ranjan Chakma, president of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum; and Jewel Chakma, president of Pahari Chhatra Parishad’s central committee, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Jorita Chakma, president of Parbatya Chattogram Mahila Samity’s central committee, presided over the programme.
Meanwhile, the District Administration brought out a colourful procession from Rangamati DC office to Gymnasium premises on the occasion. Many NGOs also observed the day.
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