End discriminations against women

Politicians, academics, and rights activists yesterday called for an end to discriminations at home and workplace against women and establish a repression free and women friendly society.

The call came from two separate rallies, one organised by the women cell of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and another was organised by Nari Sanghati, women's front of Ganasamhati Andolon, marking International Women's Day on March 8.

Speakers at the rally said women were deprived of their rights both by the state and men.

They placed several demands including an end of violence against women, introduction of a uniform family code, full approval and implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), equal rights for women of all classes.

Addressing the rally at the capital's Shahbagh, CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim said women were being repressed because they worked hard but got lower wages.

"Women are being used as a source of making extra profit," he said.

"The actual purpose of International Women's Day is to conclude the conflict between labour and capitalism of a society and to protect women from exploitation," he added.

"The NGOs and corporate sector is trying to shun the actual purpose of the day. To bring women out of the situation, it is a must to initiate movements."

Laxmi Chakrabarty, presidium member of CPB, called for a better treatment of domestic helps -- male or female -- whose rights are being violated every now and then.

Women have to establish their own rights instead of waiting for others to fight for them, she added.

Meanwhile, Nari Sanghati burnt an effigy symbolising patriarchy calling for an end to all forms of discrimination against women, while holding a rally at Swaparjita Shadhinata near TSC of Dhaka University.

The speakers said, "Not only women, people from religious, ethnic and racial minorities are being discriminated everywhere today, and that must end."

They urged males to be co-fighters against patriarchy.

Shyamoli Shil, president of Nari Sanghati, also a teacher of Jagannath University, said though the female workers made up the majority of the labour force in the ready-made garment industry, they were still facing disparities in workplace.

She also demanded workplace safety, decent wages and the right to form women's unions.

Moushumi Shabnam, a teacher of anthropology at North South University, recited a poem in which she blamed patriarchy for hindering women's rights.

Nari Sanghati also exhibited photos and staged a drama highlighting women's contribution and struggles in society.