Photo: At the discussion meeting on ’Election Manifesto and Woman’s Rights’ at the National Press Club...
Woman's Rights Forum Bangladesh (ORFB) has commented that radical changes in social attitudes are necessary to continue the progress of women. The organization says there is a need to raise awareness about women's rights at all levels, from families to institutions and societies to state policy-making levels. And this is where the political parties will play an important role, which is very important to mention in their election manifestos.
Mahmuda Khanom Milli, president of the organization, said these things at the discussion meeting titled 'Election Manifesto and Women's Rights' at the National Press Club's Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall on Monday (December 4).
Social worker and feminist Khushi Kabir said in the discussion meeting that every party participating in the election, I will ask them to bring the issue of women's rights to the fore in the election manifesto. Those who will not come to the election should also highlight these issues. There is no denying that Bangladesh has made quite a name for women's priority in South Asia. But still we are not satisfied. We want equality.
He said, all our political parties had a commitment and our Election Commission also had a commitment that women should be nominated in one third of the seats. A deadline was also given. But we couldn't. We still see that Awami League has given the most seats out of 300 seats. That too is only 8 percent. We have to increase it.
Khushi Kabir said, another thing is that the seats reserved for women are not seen equally by the other members of parliament who are being elected. This is the difference between reserved seats and directly elected seats, which we have been saying time and again - we want women's quota system or some system. There should be no gap here.
At the time, he highlighted five demands to be included in the election manifesto - 1. Uniform family law in respect of inheritance and guardianship. 2. To increase the budget for higher education by running vehicles for transporting students especially girl students. 3. Recruitment of specialist doctors in all parts of the country for girls and girls in the field of health. 4. Increasing employment of women in the workplace. 5. Women-friendly Judiciary Women's leader Mumtaz Latif said that to prevent women's violence, local political leaders should be formed and campaigned. Campaigns are more effective than pamphlets.
Former Member of Parliament and Chairman of Khaled Musharraf Trust, Mahjabin Khaled said, to ensure equal rights of women in society and politics, men's thinking needs to change. No party could secure 33 percent women leadership. Male politicians do not respect female politicians. Women politicians need to help other women advance.
Nasima Khan Monti, editor of our economy, said that although women have progressed in education, women's participation at the decision-making level is very low. Change will not happen without the participation of women at the highest level.
In the meeting, OrfB President Mahmuda Khanam Milli said, "Not only in Bangladesh, but all over the world there are different positions and differences of opinion on women's rights due to religion, belief, tradition, values, thoughts and ideological differences." What is right for one party is considered wrong for the other party. Many people consider the achievement of equality with men as the real right of women. In this regard, the sincerity of political leaders with political views and political awareness is very important.
The organization's demand is that the political parties should write down the issues of women's rights, women's education, treatment, protection, and equal rights in their election manifestos, and put them in front of half of the total voters of the 12th National Assembly elections.
He said, "We will not go back without demanding." A society led by mere men will not happen. From Digital Bangladesh, we are now moving towards Smart Bangladesh. Now it is not muscle power, competence and talent should be given importance. This is our demand to Awami League and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The meeting was also attended by Women Rights Forum Bangladesh Senior Vice President Roksana Bilkis, Vice President Sabiha Sultana Labani, General Secretary Kohinoor Azad Molly, Senior Joint General Secretary Noorjahan Shams and many others.
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