Saturday, April 3, 2010

News: Work together to combat violence against women

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=129297

Men, women urged on Int'l Women's Day

 
Samajik Protirod Committee, a platform of 61 organisations, takes out a procession from the Central Shaheed Minar in the city yesterday to mark International Women's Day . Photo: STAR
Rights activists celebrated 100 years of International Women's Day yesterday with a call for men and women to work together to put an end to all forms of violence against women.

Different organisations marked the day with various colourful programmes, including rally, seminar, discussion, human chain and cultural programme.

The theme of the day was 'Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all.'

Samajik Protirod Committee, a platform of 61 organisations, held a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar.
"Women are struggling to establish their rights. They are facing severe difficulties in achieving their goal. We hope they will succeed in their efforts," said State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury at the rally.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad President Ayesha Khanam called on both men and women to work together to fight violence against women.

Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation Shaheen Anam moderated the rally attended by former adviser to the caretaker government Sultana Kamal, President of parliamentary standing committee on Women and Children Affairs Ministry Meher Afroj Chumki, and women's rights activists Shirin Akhter, Rekha chowdhury and Aroma Dutt.

They placed a 25-point demand, including establishing women's rights and empowering them.

Local Government Engineering division organised a daylong seminar on 'Gender Institutionalisation in LGED' where LGRD and Cooperatives minister Syed Ashraful Islam was present as the chief guest.

Campaign for Good Governance formed a human chain in front of the National Museum. The participants called for full implementation of the CEDAW and amendment to all discriminatory laws.

Teachers and students of women and gender studies department of Dhaka University (DU) took out a colourful procession on the campus. Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Siddique led the procession.

On the premises of DU's fine art faculty, hundreds of students of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College and Udayan High School took a vow not to tolerate violence against women. 

As part of their two-day programme, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) yesterday organised a photography exhibition, blood donation programme and also formed a human chain at the National Press Club.

The National Girl Child Advocacy Forum awarded three women for their significant contribution to their respective fields. 

The awardees are Rowshan Ara Bachchu, a language movement veteran and academician, Ferdousi Majumder, a cultural activist and Munni Saha, a journalist.

It also organised a discussion and cultural programme at the Shishu Academy. 

Hill Women's Federation, Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR), Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims, Bangladesh National Council of Textile Garments and Leather Workers, Build Better Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nari Mukti Sangsad, Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation, Mukto Shishu O Nari Sramik Forum also organised different programmes.

Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA), Sammilita Nari Samaj, Bangladesh Apparels Workers Federation, Nari Unnayan Shakti (NUS), National Garments Workers Federation, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), The Samajtantrik Nari Forum, Agriculture University in Mymensingh, Department of Government and Politics of Jahangirnagar University also marked the day with different programmes.
Our Feni correspondent adds: The district office of the Women Affairs Directorate in association with different NGOs held a debate competition, rally, fair, discussion and cultural programme.

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