With the theme “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”, the International Women’s Day was celebrated in the country as elsewhere across the globe on Sunday.
The day is observed every year on March 8 to celebrate the women’s movement and struggle for equality. Marking the day, socio-cultural organisation arranged various programmes in Dhaka and other districts with the call for an end to discrimination and violence against women and creating an inclusive and gender-equal world.
Our correspondents sent reports on the day celebration. In Chattogram, the day was celebrated amid various programmes in the district, reports our Chattogram Correspondent.
Marking the day, Southern University Bangladesh organised various programs on the university campus marking the day. There were discussion meetings on women's empowerment and development, article presentation, recitation, music, choreography and cake cutting among them.
University Entrepreneur and Founder Professor Sarwar Jahan, Vice-Chancellor Professor Engineer M Ali Ashraf, Dean of various faculties, Heads of department and teachers were present at the celebration.
In Rajshahi, various government and non-government development organisations observed the day befittingly with the unanimous call of freeing the womenfolk from all sorts of violence, disparity and discrimination.
Marking the day, district administration and department of women affairs jointly organised a discussion at Human Resource Development Training Centre. Advocate Adiba Anjum Mita, MP, and social worker Shaheen Akter Rainy addressed the meeting with Deputy Director of the Department of Local Government Division Parvej Raihan in the chair. Deputy Director of Department of Women Affairs Shobnom Shirin and local unit chairman of Jatiya Mohila Sangstha Morjina Parveen also spoke.
The speakers laid emphasis on concerted efforts of all government and non-government entities concerned for establishing the rights of women in the society. Various other development organisations including Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, Association for Community Development (ACD) and Ladies Organisation for Social Welfare also observed the day through separate programmes.
In Kushtia, the female students of Islamic University (IU) observed ‘International Women’s Day’ with the slogan ‘Projonmo Hok Somotar, Sokol Narir Odhikar’ amid festivity, reports our IU Correspondent
IU Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall and Khaleda Zia Hall organised the events separately marking women’s enormous contribution to humanity.
Marking the day, the residential students of Khaleda Zia Hall brought out a procession from in front of their hall in the morning. Later, a discussion was held with Prof Dr Reba Mandal, provost of the hall, in the chair.
Besides, Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall brought out another colourful procession led by its provost Prof Dr Selina Nasrin. The procession ended at a discussion programme in front of university Bir Shreshtha Hamidur Rahman auditorium after parading main thoroughfares on the campus.
IU pro-vice chancellor Prof Dr M Shahinoor Rahman, Treasurer Prof Dr M Selim Toha, Prof Dr M Mamun of Economics department spoke out the discussion programme, among others.
In Brahmanbaria, cheques were distributed among women entrepreneurs marking International Women Day, organized by Women Affairs Department at Nabinagar upazila in the district, reports our Nabinagar Correspondent.
Later, a rally was brought out from Upazila Parishad Auditorium and ended at the same place after rounding the town.
After the rally, a discussion meeting was held at the Upazila Parishad Auditorium. Upazila Vice-Chairman Sheuli Rahman was present as the chief guest while Assistant Commissioner (land) Iqbal Hasan presided over the meeting.
At that time, Upazila Vice-chairman Zakir Hossain Sadek, Women affairs officer Jesmin-ara-Begum, Officer-in-Charge Ronojeet Roy, Assistant Professor Shukla Rani Dev, Press Club president Mahabub Alom Liton, President of Upazila Jubo League Shams Alom, Journalist Jasim Uddin, Tania Akhter along with other were also present.
In Rajbari, the day was celebrated in a befitting manner amid various programmes, reports our Rajbari correspondent.
A rally and discussion meeting was jointly held by Deputy Commissioner’s office and District Women’s Affairs Office in the town on the occasion. The rally started from in front of the DC office and paraded important streets of the district. Later, the discussion meeting was held at the seminar room of DC office.
MP from Rajbari-1 constituency Kazi Keramat Ali attended the programme as the chief guest while Rajbari DC Dilshad Begum presided over it. Among others, Zila Parishad Chairman Fakir Abdul Jabbar, Women Affairs Officer Nur-e-Safura Ferdous and Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Salauddin spoke at the discussion.
In Noakhali, the day is observed in Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) by holding various programmes, reports our NSTU Correspondent A rally was brought out on the campus. After end of the rally, the percipients paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreath at his portrait on the campus.
NSTU Treasurer Prof Dr Mohammed Faruqe Uddin inaugurated the day where deans of different faculties, directors of institutes, chairmen of the departments, provosts of the halls, teachers, officers and students of the university took part in the programme.
In Bogura, the day was observed in the district in a befitting manner, reports our Bogura Correspondent. The district administration and Department of Women Affairs brought out a colourful rally in the district town marking the day. Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Bogura Foyez Ahmed led the rally. Members of district police, including Bangladesh Police Women Network, and different NGOs joined the rally.
Later, a discussion was held at Mujib Mancha in the town. Foyez Ahmed attended the discussion as the chief guest with Deputy Director of Department of Women Affairs in Bogura Shahidul Islam in the chair.
In Natore, the day was observed in every upazilas of Natore with various programmes, reports our Natore Correspondent. A discussion meeting was held to observe the day at Government Public Library organized by District Women Department.
At the discussion meeting, local MP Shafiqul Islam Shimul, Police Super Liton Kumar Saha, Natore Municpal Mayor Uma Chowdhury Joly, Chairman of Sadar Upazila Parishad Shariful Islam Ramjan, Deputy Director of Women Affairs Department Farida Yasmin along with other officials and women leaders were also present.
At that time, speakers said ruling government is taking various initiatives for women empowerment. They are working in different government offices. Without their participation, digital Bangladesh will never be built.
On the other hand, Socheton Nagorik Committee (SONAK) formed a human chain in front of United Press Club marking the day.
Natore Municipal Mayor Uma Chowdhury Joly, President of SONAK Ronen Roy, Vice-president Hamida Banu Begum, Member Principal Abdur Razzak, Hafiza Khanom along with other delivered their speech at this time.
In Cumilla, Liberal Minds, an associate organisation of the English Department of Comilla University, celebrated the day through the unveiling of the wall and discussion meeting, reports our CoU Correspondent.
English department Associate Professor Tasnima Akhter presided over the discussion in the hall of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. CoU Registrar (additional responsibility) Prof Dr Md Abu Taher, president of CoU Teacher’s Association Rashidul Islam Sheikh, general secretary Swapan Chandra Majumder, Head of the Department of English Banani Biswas. Teachers and students from different departments were present on the occasion.
At the end of the discussion, a cultural event was held with the participation of students of the department.
In Jashore, the day was celebrated in a befitting manner, reports our Keshabpur correspondent.
On the occasion, a discussion meeting was jointly organised by Keshabpur upazila administration and upazila Women’s Affairs Office at Keshabpur upazila parishad auditorium.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) Irufa Sultana presided over the discussion while UZ Vice-Chairman Nasima Sadek attended as the chief guest. Upazila Children Affairs Officer Bimal Kumar Kundu addressed the discussion.
