Highlight women’s feat

Despite outstanding contributions in different spheres of society, many of the country’s women are deprived of proper recognition, said speakers at a conference yesterday.

They urged historians to highlight those successful women to encourage others.

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The speakers made the call at the inauguration of an international conference on “Women in history: South Asian context” at Teacher-Student Centre of Dhaka University. The event was organised by Bangladesh Itihas Parishad, a platform of historians.

In her speech, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said many women had contributed during the Language Movement and Liberation War but they are yet to be recognised properly.

The country is progressing as women, defying obstacles, are being successful in all sectors including education, culture, industry, politics, business and economy, she said.

She urged historians to conduct an extensive research on women’s contribution to the country.

Citing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a unique example of women’s empowerment, the Speaker urged women to learn from her life so that they can take forward this trend of empowerment.

Education Minister Dipu Moni stressed the need for learning true history. No quality leadership can be created without proper knowledge of national history, she added. 

She hoped that the conference would play an instrumental role in changing mindset of people towards women.

Speaking as chair, DU Vice Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman said Itihas Parishad was formed in 1966 with a view to creating a society cognisant of history. “Since establishment, this platform has been playing an important role in helping the nation know its proper history,” he said.

Terming history an analysis of past, present and future, he said the time has come for women to be acknowledged for their contributions. The country is becoming a role model for women empowerment in the world, the VC added.

University Grants Commission Chairperson Prof Dr Kazi Shahidullah, its former chairperson Prof Abdul Mannan, Itihas Parishad General Secretary Prof Dr AKM Golam Rabbani, its Treasurer MD Humayan Kabir and Joint Secretary Abdur Rahim were also present.