Nari Samaj protests Jalil's statement

By Staff Correspondent
23 May 2007, 18:00 PM
Sammilita Nari Samaj yesterday protested the statement of Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil opposing the Election Commission's proposal that women should account for 33 percent of members of the executive committee of any registered political party.

The AL leader's statement that it is not possible to implement the proposal is tantamount to showing utter indifference to the demands of women, said Farida Akhtar and Dr Naila Khan, coordinators of the Nari Samaj, a combined women's organisation, in a statement.

"They [Jalil and his party] have deployed women on the streets during the movement, but they do not want to induct women into the executive committee," they said, adding that his statement would create obstacles to the participation of women in politics.

The Nari Samaj leaders also demanded withdrawal of his statement.