On Women's Day

Never lose hope

If I am a mother-in-law then I will give my daughter-in-law the same love and rights which I give to my children, I will take proper care of my son's wife, as a true mother does, and will never consider her as an opponent.

If I am a wife then I will never take my husband's mother and sister as my enemies and will consider them as my own mother and sister and never try to isolate my husband from them.

If I am an educated established woman then I will help all the helpless women around me at any cost and show them the right path as a guide.

If I am beautiful attractive woman then I will never try to attract other women's husbands or lovers and if something happens I will give priority to another woman's happiness, not mine.

If I am a simple middle class woman then I will always prepare myself to help my parents financially and emotionally and will not pressurise them for my fancy wishes.

We are women, we have the power to create love and sympathy and can also destroy peace and happiness.

The Women's Day has been observed with speeches and rallies. However, everyone seems to be unaware that whatever limited progress has been made towards women's liberation is under siege now.

The rise of fundamentalism in Bangladesh and the aggressiveness of the fundamentalists threaten to put the women's movement to the back gear. Women must realise that they are going to be the biggest loser when extremists, using the name and garb of Islam, take away whatever limited freedom they have now.

So it is now up to the women and women's movement leaders to make other women aware of this threat. This awareness must be coupled with financial independence without which they would be powerless. When women rise up the nation will progress.

Raqta, On e-mail