Lack of political will main obstacle to accepting CEDAW

Lack of political will is the main reason for not withdrawing the reservations about the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), journalists opined at a discussion of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) yesterday.

At the discussion at BMP's office in the capital, its President Ayesha Khanam introduced and elaborated on CEDAW, a bill of rights for women adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979, which came into force on September 3, 1981.

Explaining Article 2 of CEDAW, which requires states to condemn all forms of discrimination against women, and enact and implement policies for eliminating such discriminations, Khanam said there is no reason why Bangladesh should not withdraw its reservation on the article.

"At the periodic review report in 2011, the government said it was strongly considering withdrawing the reservation," she said, adding, "But in the report this year, they said the society is not yet ready for such change!"

"The whole issue is political. Religion is only being used here as an excuse," said Anwar Rosen, a reporter of the daily Janakantha.

"Why does religion only come into play when we talk about distribution of property and wealth but not in the other aspects?" he questioned.

"The steps [to withdraw reservations] are not taken due to political reasons, because those who are in power are afraid to face extremists with rational arguments," said Md Enamul Haque, a sub-editor at the The Financial Express.

Journalists of print media, present in the meeting, pointed out that the message of CEDAW and its importance need to reach the grass root levels of the society.

Dil Monowora Monu, media and communication secretary of BMP, among others, was present.