National Women's Development Policy
The government, in all its wisdom, has referred the National Women Development policy to a committee of ulemas. The following are just some excerpts drawn from The Daily Star of Friday, April 18 which highlight the ulemas' response.
"A woman cannot enjoy rights equal to a man's because a woman is not equal to a man by birth..." "...the ulema recommended abolishing the section that suggests steps to implement the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)".
"...not only is it impossible to establish equal rights for men and women in the country, but in some cases giving women equality would deprive them of their rights in many sectors."
"The committee opposed inclusion of women in peace-keeping missions, saying it would make women insecure and it could tarnish Bangladesh's image".
"They also opposed the provision that women "must be given equal opportunities and participation in wealth, employment, market and business"".
Ironically, women seem to have been absent from the entire discourse regarding a policy aimed specifically at them? Am I the only one who is outraged by all of this?
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