Participants at a discussion meeting organised by Bangladesh Women Lawyers Association on Monday called for proper and speedy implementation of law for preventing torture and killing against women and children.
The meeting presided over by Adv Munira Begum, divisional coordinator of BNWLA, was held at Barisal Reporters Unity on occasion of the International Woman’s Day.
Kohinur Begum, councilor of Barisal City Corporation, Shuvangkar Chakraborty, Ranjit Dutta, Ranjit Datta, Nila Begum, right activists, Sushanta Ghosh, journalist, Advocate Kamrunahar Tonu, Keka Ansari, members BNWLA, addressed the programme conducted by Masuk Kamal, monitoring officer BNWLA.
The speakers and participants of the programme said in spite of significant progress in legislation, but societies still displaying attitudes of gender inequality.
So gender violence in male-dominated society like Bangladesh failing for preventing torture against women and children.
Violence against women, girls and children, not only crime, but leave permanent physical, mental, sexual or reproductive health problems and sequels, they said.
Speakers demanded proper and speedy implementation of the legal acts enacted to prevent violence against women through an independent sovereign judiciary without any political interference and ensuring safety and security of the victims and witnesses.
Awareness creating programmes through educational curriculums, medias, social interactions and increasing legal aid activities also stressed by them.
BSS from Rajshahi reports: Various government and non-government development organisations yesterday observed the International Women’s Day in the city and its adjacent areas befittingly with a vow to free the womenfolk from all sorts of violence, disparity and discrimination.
Marking the day, district administration and department of women affairs brought out a colorful rally from C&B Crossing and paraded the city streets before participating in a discussion held at Shishu Academy conference hall with Deputy Commissioner Kazi Ashraf Uddin in the chair.
Various other organisations jointly brought out a huge procession from Alupatti crossing and paraded some of the city thoroughfares carrying banners and festoons before terminating into the same crossing.
Besides, another rally from the city’s Alupatti crossing drew attention of the pedestrians and many other people. After the rally, they held a discussion at the same venue.
The speakers said gender balance is the precondition to substantial and sustainable progress of the nation and that is very important in the present context of the national economy.
They also emphasized the need for freeing society from gender discriminations to establish a non-discriminatory and equitable society for taking the nation forward successfully.
BSS from Rangpur adds: The International Women’s Day- 2016 was observed here yesterday with a renewed pledge for ensuring equal rights and participations of the women in every field of national development and policy-making activities.
The day was observed with theme of “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality” in the district as well as in the country and the globe as a whole through various colourful programmes.
While addressing a number of discussions in the city, the speakers called for ending violence against women to ensure their equal emancipation in development, economy, politics, governance, every profession and sector for building a prosperous nation.
The district administration, Department of Women’s Affairs (DWA) in association with the other government departments, NGOs, socio-cultural and professional organisations and bodies chalked out elaborate programmes in observance the day.
The programmes included colourful rallies participated by hundreds of women, girls, adolescents, students from different educational institutions, NGO activists, officials and employees, seminars, special fair, lighting candle, discussions and cultural functions.
The district administration, DWA, NGOs, development and donor organisations including CARE Bangladesh, ‘Pollishree’ and ‘Amrai Pari’ jointly organised a huge colourful rally that paraded the city streets with placards, banners, posters and festoons.
Besides, different educational institutions, socio-cultural and professional bodies, children, women and human rights organisations also observed the day through various daylong programmes in the city as well as in all upazila headquarters in the district.
The main discussion meeting was organised at Town Hall auditorium in the city with Deputy Director of the DWA Shamima Akhter Banu in the chair.
Deputy Commissioner Md Rahat Anwar attended the discussion as the chief guest while Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC-General) Dr ATM Mahbubul Karim and ADC (Education & ICT) Priyosindhu Talukder were present as the special guests.
President of ‘Amrai Pari Zila Jyote’ Principal Fakhrul Anam Benzu, valiant freedom fighter Akbar Hossain, Head of Programme Coordination of RDRS Bangladesh Monjusree Saha, Advocate Kohinoor Begum, addressed among others.
