Speakers at a discussion here on Wednesday stressed the need for effective resistance against repression on women and establishing their rights equal to the male counterparts to achieve Vision 2021 and Vision 2041.
“We should give proper value to every woman, which they deserve, for both their paid and unpaid works,” they said, adding, “We need to change our attitude towards them.” These views were expressed at the discussion marking the “International Women’s Day-2017” organized by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs at Bangabandhu International Conference Center.
State Minister of the ministry Meher Afroz Chumki addressed the discussion as the chief guest with Secretary of the ministry Nasima Begum in the chair.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Children Affairs Ministry Rebeka Momin was the special guest while Chris Hunter, UN Women Country Representative of Bangladesh, was the guest of honour. A documentary on women development in Bangladesh was screened at the function.
Five successful women were given National awards for their outstanding contribution in different sectors.
The awardees are: Sharli Meshoipru for economic development from Chittagong division, Hosne Ara Begum for education and job from Rangpur, Firoza Begum as a successful mother from Rajshahi, Morzina Begum as a successful woman and Arifa Yasmeen Moyuree for social development from Dhaka.
Meher Afroz Chumki said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave the equal rights to woman in the 1972 Constitution. “Now Bangladesh has become a role model in the world arena for women empowerment,” she said.
Chumki said Bangladesh has, by now, achieved a significant progress in the field of women empowerment as the country’s half of the population is advancing equally side by side their male counterparts.
“We have to change the patriarchal mindset towards women at all spheres of our society. The women should be given equal opportunity to help them enjoy a dignified life,” she said.
She said success of women is now evident everywhere in Bangladesh as they are active with equal footing like their male partners in all key areas like education, games and sports as well as the creative fields.
Referring to different milestone programmes undertaken by the government for empowerment of women, she urged the private sector to extend whole-hearted cooperation towards ensuring women’s active involvement in the country’s development process.
The state minister also urged all public and private organizations to set up day-care centers and breast-feeding corners for working mothers.
Referring to early marriage as a big problem till now, she said there must be efforts at all levels to raise social awareness in this regard.
Rebeka Momin said progress is impossible leaving half of the population behind from the mainstream development efforts. “To move forward, we need to ensure that no one is left behind.”
She said the governments led by Sheikh Hasina did a tremendous progress for the women in all areas including the disciplined forces as well as other key fields in the public and private sectors.
“Our women are now widely revered for their outstanding contribution in all challenging fields at home and abroad, thanks to the determined efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” she said.
Chris Hunter said March 8 is a day to recognize all those who have struggled for women’s equal rights, those who have worked to end discrimination and violence against women.
“The International women’s day is our day to celebrate the achievements of the brave, determined and the persistent who insist, whether loudly or quietly, that dignity, opportunity and justice for women and girls are non-negotiable. Whether they lead this fight for empowerment as farmers, factory workers, business women, teachers, NGO activists or elected representatives, these women are our leaders,” she said.
International Women’s Day is also a time to recommit ourselves to do more, to inspire action, she said praising Bangladesh which over the past decades made great progress in improving the lives of women and girls.
Bangladesh’s leadership on the Sustainable Development Goals helped to put gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls at the heart of the global agenda, Chris said, adding the Government’s Vision 2021 as well as the Seventh Five-Year Plan set out the commitment to inclusive growth and recognize that promoting gender equality is essential to this vision for the country.
“We recognize the Bangladesh government for its effort to strengthen the legal framework to prevent child marriage including providing sanction and remedies when such cases take place,” She said.
In this context, the newly adopted Child Marriage Restraint Act can be a positive step forward, she said and urged all sectors to work towards achieving Planet 50-50 by 2030.
