Rights activists and women leaders on Sunday called for stronger action to eliminate discrimination and ensure justice for women at a rally marking International Women’s Day at Dhaka University’s Central Shaheed Minar.
The programme—organised by the Social Resistance Committee—began around 10:30am and included a gathering, cultural performances and a rally under the slogan calling for ending discrimination and ensuring justice to establish equal rights for women.
The event was chaired by Dr Fowzia Moslem, president of the central committee of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
Speaking at the rally, she said the women’s movement is a continuous process that must adapt to changing social realities. She noted that violence against women remains one of the biggest obstacles to ensuring dignity and justice.
Referring to the state of justice in rape cases, she said although around 90 death sentences have been handed down in such cases, none has been executed so far.
She also urged the government to form a taskforce to address violence against women and demanded that 33 percent representation of women be ensured in political parties.
Rasheda K Chowdhury, executive director of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), said women still do not enjoy equal rights despite their contributions to major political and social movements.
“From the Language Movement of 1952 to recent democratic movements, women have played a leading role, yet discrimination persists,” she said.
She also highlighted the marginalisation of domestic workers and sex workers, noting that children of sex workers still face barriers in accessing education.
Maleka Banu, general secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, said that although March 8 is observed globally to celebrate women’s achievements, this year the day is being marked as a day of protest and resistance due to growing insecurity and inequality faced by women.
Speakers also raised concerns over issues such as child marriage, unequal wages, lack of women’s political representation and discrimination against indigenous and Dalit women.
Cultural performances marked the beginning of the event, with protest songs performed by Udichi Shilpi Gosthi and poetry recited by Fouzia Khondkar Eva.
At the end of the programme, a declaration outlining several demands related to women’s rights and justice was presented by Mariam Nessa of ActionAid Bangladesh.
The programme concluded with a rally from the Central Shaheed Minar to TSC, attended by representatives from several organisations including BRAC, CARE Bangladesh, Women for Women, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association, Manusher Jonno Foundation, and Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
