Women urged to get united to establish their rights

Speakers at the concluding session of a 2-day national conference of Women organised by Naripokkho at Savar on Saturday.

GreenWatch News Desk

A 2-day 7th national conference of women organised by Naripokkho at Public Health Building of Ganasasthya Kendra, Savar ended on Saturday with a call for women to get united to establish their rights.

About 400 participants representing different women's organisations took part in the conference that deliberated on various of discrimination that women face in the society and the urgency to overcome those.

Speaking at the concluding function of the programme Justice Krishna Devanath (retd) called for women to start a movement against Article 41 of the Constitution on religious freedom which goes against women, although Articles 27 and 28 treat them as equal citizens. Under this Article inheritance of a Muslim girl is half that of her brother and a Hindu girl nothing if she has a brother. A Muslim boy is greeted with azan and a Hindu boy with the playing of sangkha (flute) at birth, but nothing in case of girls in both the religions, she said.

Rasheda K Chowdhury former adviser to the Caretaker Government said people had much expectations from the Interim Government but instead saw the rise of fundamentalism in the country. 

She said that the government stepped back when the controversy over music and sport teacher in primary schools arose.

Referring to recent statistics she said 20 percent of the people were still illiterate and posed a question as to how they would cast yes/no votes in a referendum.

Khushi Kabir, coordinator of NGO, Nijera Kari, said that women played a big role in the July movement but failed to sustain in their respective positions. They should continue to come forward and consolidate their own positions in the society.

She said that women comprise 51 percent of the population but have little influence. They should communicate with each other and organise themselves to establish their rights.

Zaima Islam, senior reporter of The Daily Star said one group of people wanted women to wear hijab and dress according to their prescription. Why others should decide about how we should cover our own bodies, she asked.

Dalia Chakma, gender and interconnectivity lead, said Rokeya Hall girls coined the slogan against autocracy when students were called grandchildren of razakars. But they are no more in leadership positions, she said.

Amita Dey, coordinator of the 7th national conference of women, presided over the concluding session and gave the vote of thanks.