Restore National Women Dev Policy '97

Ayesha Khanom, general secretary of Mahila Parishad, speaks at a press conference organised by Samajik Protirodh Committee, a platform for social resistance, at the National Press Club in the city yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

They urged political parties to include the restoration of the policy in their electoral manifesto ahead of the national election.

They also called for vigorous campaign across the country for the restoration of the policy.

The press conference was organised by Samajik Protirodh Committee, a platform for social resistance, at the National Press Club following a national convention on August 27.

In a written statement on behalf of the committee, Ayesha Khanom, general secretary of Mahila Parishad, said the NWD Policy '97 paved the way for women's development as representatives from women's and human rights organisations worked together in preparing the policy.

But the coalition government brought radical changes in the policy in 2004 without any discussion in the ministerial meeting and related committee, she alleged.

Ayesha said terms like 'equal rights', 'equal partnership' and 'equal dignity' were omitted cleverly from different sub-sections of 7, 8, 9, and 12 of the policy creating barriers to establishing women's rights.

Ranjan Karmakar of Steps Towards Development and Shirin Akhter of Karmajibi Nari also spoke.

Selina Khalek of Bangladesh Mahila Samity, Rawshan Jahan Parvin of Ain O Shalish Kendra and Nasimun Ara Huq of Bangladesh Naari Sangbadik Kendra were present on the occasion.