Female members ignored in local bodies
Speakers allege at Rangpur workshop
Women Union Parishad members at the day-long workshop at Rangpur yesterday. At least 102 UP members from 8 northern districts attended the programme.Photo: STAR
Female Union Parishad (UP) members from eight northern districts at a workshop in Rangpur yesterday raised their voice against alleged discrimination against them and disparity in all development programmes taken by their respective Ups. They claimed that they are being avoided and neglected in all activities of UPs only because being females. They said such gender discrimination is a serious threat to development at grassroots level in northern districts. A total 102 female UP members and 26 female RDRS federation members took part in the day-long workshop organised by RDRS at its auditorium. Sayeda Nourin, Programme Co-coordinator of Aiyn O Shalish Kendra, an NGO, was the chief guest at the workshop presided over by Co-coordinator of RDRS Woman Rights Programme Monjusree Saha. The female UP members alleged that they can not play any role in selecting people for benefits under VGF (Vulnerable group feeding) and VGD (vulnerable group development) programmes, elderly allowance and allowance for the physically challenged. Aziza, a member of Haribhasa Union Parishad in Thakurgaon told the workshop that the chairman of her UP does not think it necessary to take consent of female members in any matter. The workshop adopted ten recommendations for empowering female UP members.
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