Vow to resist violence against women
The call came from a rally organised by Karmojibi Nari at Muktangan in the city, marking the Day of Resistance to Violence against Women. The day is also observed as 'Yasmin Murder Day'.
Eleven years have passed since Yasmin was killed by some policemen and the Beijing Platform for Action was created to protect the rights of women, but no qualitative changes in women's lives have taken place during this period, said Shirin Akhter, president of Karmojibi Nari.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Rather, women are more vulnerable today than before, she said, adding that they should be made free repression and slavery.
She also expressed concern over last year's serial bomb blasts across the country, amendment to the National Woman Development Policy and the lack of initiative to introduce direct election to parliamentary seats reserved for women.
It is time to unite to resist violence against women and ensure their empowerment, she added.
Nagorik Udyog, Acid Survivors Foundation and Jukto also jointly organised a programme at Rabindra Sarobor Mancha at Dhanmondi to mark the day.
Women from different sectors attended the programme and described the socio-cultural and economic situation of women in the country.
Empowerment of women could not be achieved yet as they are not incorporated into the mainstream of society, they said.
They urged all men and women to work together to create a gender-sensitive environment.