Celebrating Mother’s Day

As we celebrate International Mother's Day today, remaining confined to our homes, we, in fact, get a better chance to see the hard work our mothers have to do every single day only to make our lives comfortable. During this lockdown, it's our mothers who are sacrificing the most just to ensure that we can go about our regular life without facing much hassle. This is what mothers do in any given situation—they make sure that their children are fed, clothed and educated with whatever resources they have. They keep the family together and allow other members to work and pursue their dreams. But do we even find the time to pause for a minute and think about what they get in return for their endless love and care for their children and family? How many amongst us recognise their role in the family and society? How many amongst us make sure that our mothers are in good health, both mental and physical? 

We are saddened to learn from reports that during the ongoing lockdown violence against women has increased around the world. Manusher Jonno Foundation has recently conducted a telesurvey which found that 4,249 women out of 17,203 they have interviewed faced different forms of domestic violence in April this year during the shutdown. We often come across reports in the media about how elderly parents are mistreated and abandoned by their children. Women's unpaid household and care work have not yet been formally recognised by our state. And as we all praise the role of our mothers today, an overwhelming number of expectant mothers are dying in the remote corners of the country every day due to their lack of access to proper healthcare services.

On this Mother's Day, let us take a vow to end the violence and discrimination our mothers as well as women in general face at home and ensure that their hard work is recognised in the family and society.