Physically Challenged Women's Campaign

Human chains demanding six reserved seats in JS

8 March 2009, 18:00 PM

Star National Desk

Physically challenged women yesterday formed human chains in Rajshahi and Rangpur demanding six reserved seats for them in parliament. They also urged the government to ensure their representation in all local government bodies, our correspondents report. In Rajshahi, several hundred physically challenged women formed a human chain at Shaheb Bazar zero point in the city in support of their demand. Protibondhi Nari Odhikar Bikash Sangstha in association with Action on Disability and Development (ADD) organised the programme, according to RU correspondent. They later took out a procession in the city and submitted a memorandum containing some other demands to the deputy commissioner. The demands include allocation of Tk 1,500 monthly allowance for each poor physically challenged woman, loan facilities and job security for them, ensuring their social rights and dignity, trial of physically challenged women torture cases in speedy trial tribunal, formation of a new law for their welfare and reserved seats for physically challenged women on buses, trains and launches. They also submitted the same memorandum to Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha. Protibondhi Nari Odhikar Bikash Sangstha also launched mass signature campaign in Rajshahai city and university area in support their demand. Physically challenged women held a number of programmes at Rangpur district headquarters yesterday to press home their demand for six reserved seats for them in parliament and ensuring their participation in all local government bodies, reports our correspondent. They formed human chain in front of Rangpur Press Club at 11:00 am, held a discussion meeting at the same venue, launched signature campaign and gave a memorandum to the deputy commissioner. Protibandhi Nari Parishad in association with Action on Disability and Development (ADD) organised the programmes.