Chances for women, children must for achieving SDGs

Speakers yesterday urged the govern-ment, business community and civil society to remove obstacles and ensure opportunities for women and children to achieve the sustainable develop-ment goals (SDG).

They echoed this while addressing a seminar titled "SDG-Focusing Women and Children: Challenges; Role of Government, Civil Society and Business Community", organised by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in association with World Vision Bangladesh, at the capital's Brac Centre Inn.

Justice Md Imman Ali, an appellate division judge, said, "Limiting women in kitchens is a waste of country's 50 percent productivity."

"Girls are kept away from school at a certain age because of the fear of security…We have to change this attitude," he said.

He suggested providing girls with bi-cycles. "They will ride in groups and go to school together, thus, the risk of harassment will reduce," he added.

Justice Ali said domestic helps are often cheated and not treated as workers. "They must be given all the facilities ensured by the Labour Law," he added.

Sayema Dipti, a teenage participant of the seminar, said the government is determined to end child marriage but they are drafting a contradictory law where marriage age is lowered to 16 in special cases. "This should not happen," she said, demanding an increase of the number of law enforcers at night to ensure the security of girls.

Another teenage participant, Masud Rana said stalkers often get patron from politically influential persons.

"When we'll recognise the rights of women and give them value, life would be better for everyone," said David Montague, national director of World Vision Bangladesh.

State Minister for Finance MA Mannan said, "Civil society should be vocal against atrocities towards women and children from their respective positions."

Kazi Rezaul Hoque, a full-time member of NHRC, presided over the seminar.