Specific allocation for women in next budget demanded

They were speaking at a three-day seminar on 'Gender Equality and Women's Human Rights', organised by Nagorik Uddyog (NGO) at the city's Women's Voluntary Association (WVA) auditorium, to mark the International Women's Day on March 8.

Referring the budget procedure as confidential, Arifur Rahman of Manusher Jonnyo (NGO) said, 'There is a infrastructure gap in the procedure of budget and thus women become victim of discrimination in budget allocation.'

Presenting the keynote paper on 'The role of state in women empowerment: Budget' at the second session of the inaugural day, Rahman explained how women empowerment mechanism in political, social and economic sectors would take place.

Altaf Parvej, an author and researcher, suggested that citizens needed to pay income tax regularly to increase allocation for women in budget.

Leaders from different women and social organisations including Mukta Shishu O Nari Sramik Forum, Bachte Shikho Nari, Karitas, Jubo Nagorik Jote, Agrani Shangstha and Bangladesh Krishak Federation took part in programme with Prof Dr Meghna Guho Thakurota, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, in the chair.

Earlier, at the first session, Fawjia Khandaker Iva, a freelance consultant, presented a keynote paper on 'Violence against Women by Family, Society and State and Gender Equity'.

Fawjia pointed out gender discrimination begins at the family and thus women's development is hindered from the very beginning.

She said women need to be educated and self-reliant to ensure gender equity in the society. She emphasised that present laws should be strictly enforced and Convention on Elimination of All Sorts of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) should be fully ratified as soon as possible.

Sultana Kamal of Ain O Shalish Kendra presided over the programme while Umme Salma of WVA and Zakir Hossain, chief executive officer of Nagorik Uddyog addressed.

The seminar will end tomorrow with discussions on 'Women Empowerment on the Perspective of Millennium Development Goals and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP)' and 'HIV/ Aids: A gender based discussion'.