International Women’s Day is being celebrated in Bangladesh today with due dignity, like other countries in the world, with the theme ‘Today’s steps, tomorrow’s justice, let the rights of women and girls be protected’.
Various government and private organizations and institutions are holding various programs throughout the day to mark the day. As part of the program, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, various NGOs and banks have organized ‘Indomitable Women’s Awards’, discussion meetings and processions. As part of this, former and late Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has been awarded the ‘Best Indomitable Woman in the Advancement of Democracy’ award.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has organized processions and discussion meetings at the district and upazila levels, including recognizing women who have made special contributions to establishing women’s rights, equality and justice across the country.
In addition, special programs have been organized jointly by Action Aid Bangladesh and Prothom Alo. Under the guidance of Bangladesh Bank, the day is also being celebrated with due dignity in all scheduled banks of the country.
This year, the global ‘Give to Gain’ campaign is being run, which emphasizes mutual cooperation in establishing equality between women and men. Through these programs, women’s rights are being established and their outstanding contribution to society is being recognized. Keeping the above theme in mind, the Women’s Department requests that activities be implemented in coordination with the local administrations in the districts and upazilas.
On the occasion of the day of Bangladesh, President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman gave separate messages. In the message, they greeted and congratulated all the women of the world.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said in his message, ‘The development of a country is sustainable only when women’s rights, education, health, security and participation are ensured. In this context, I think that this year’s theme of International Women’s Day, ‘Today’s steps, tomorrow’s justice, may the rights of women and girls be protected’ is very significant.’
The Prime Minister said that almost half of the world’s population is women. Development is not possible without keeping women out of the mainstream of the state, government and politics. In particular, if women’s economic empowerment is not ensured, the benefits of overall development outside the home are not possible. More than half of the population in Bangladesh is women. The independence proclaimer, martyr President Ziaur Rahman, and the Mother of Democracy Begum Khaleda Zia played a groundbreaking role in the political and economic empowerment of women. During Shaheed Zia’s regime, the ‘Women’s Affairs Department’ was established in the President’s Secretariat in 1976. The ‘Ministry of Women’s Affairs’ was formed in 1978, which was later transformed into the ‘Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs’ in 1994 during the regime of Begum Khaleda Zia.
For the socio-economic empowerment of women, the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia introduced free education for girls up to class 12. This was a revolutionary decision in the empowerment of women in Bangladesh. In the same vein, the current government has introduced the ‘Family Card’ for the economic empowerment of women. The current government is committed to ensuring the active and effective participation of women at all levels, including education, economy, health and politics.
The Prime Minister said, we want to build a Bangladesh where men and women enjoy equal rights. They will work in the family, state and society with respect, dignity and security. In our existing society, equality should be a promise, dignity should be a reality, and empowerment should be the basis for development. I wish success to all the programs undertaken on the occasion of ‘International Women’s Day’.
On the occasion of the day, the National Press Club has organized a discussion meeting, award ceremony and lamp lighting program. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid will be present as the chief guest. Dhaka Reporters’ Unit (DRU) will organize various programs including a rally on the occasion of the day.
International Women’s Day is celebrated as an important occasion all over the world. The United Nations has been celebrating this day as International Women’s Day since 1975.
Behind the celebration of the day is the long history of struggle for the rights of women workers. In 1857, women workers of yarn factories in New York, USA, took to the streets to protest against wage discrimination, fixed working hours and inhumane working conditions. The government’s lethal forces suppressed the procession.
On February 28, 1909, at a rally organized by the Social Democratic Women’s Organization in New York, the International Women’s Conference was launched under the leadership of German socialist leader Clara Zetkin. Clara Zetkin was a German politician and one of the founders of the German Communist Party.
Then, in 1910, the Second International Women’s Conference was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. About 100 women representatives from 17 countries participated in it. At that conference, Clara Zetkin proposed to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 every year.
It was decided that from 1911, the day would be celebrated as Women’s Equal Rights Day. The leaders of the socialist movement played a leading role in celebrating the day.
International Women’s Day began to be celebrated on March 8 in various countries since 1914.
Bangladesh also started celebrating the day before gaining independence in 1971.
March 8 received international recognition in 1975. The United Nations called on various countries to observe the day. Since then, International Women’s Day has been celebrated with due respect all over the world. Every year, a specific theme is set for the day.
Source :BSSÂ
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