International Women’s Day is celebrated on the initiative of 12 organizations

Today, Monday, March 8, 2021, at 11 am in front of the National Press Club, Bangladesh Kishani Sabha, Readymade Garments Workers Federation, Bangladesh Floating Women Workers Union, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Bangladesh Bhumihin Samiti, Bangladesh Sramik Federation, Bangladesh United Building and Wood Workers Federation, Democratic Garment Workers and employees Federation, Migrant Women Workers Forum, Building Construction Workers Union-Bangladesh, Bangladesh National Workers Federation and Bangladesh Adivasi Samiti celebrated jointly International Women’s Day. After the human chain ceremony with the slogan “Women Leadership in Corona, Build a New World of Equality”, a procession marched around various streets of the city.

Presided over Garment Workers Leader Lovely Yasmin the function was addressed, among others, Farmers Leader Comrade ASM Badrul Alam, Zayed Iqbal Khan, Landless Leader Subal Sarkar, Labor Leader Engineer Osman Gani, AAM Fayez Hossain, AKM Shahidul Alam Faruk, Labor Leader Shamim Ara, Bachchu Miah, tribal leader Omoli Kisku, women leader Rehena Begum, Mahenur Akhter Brishti.

The speakers at the human chain highlighted the historical significance of Women’s Day and said that the self-dignity and equal rights of women, especially working women, have not been established in the society even today. Even today they are victims of extreme discrimination and violence in the society. They do not acknowledge the social and economic contribution of women in the patriarchal system. Moreover, social and religious prejudices have always stood in the way of women’s progress as obstacles. They stressed on building a strong movement of women to overcome this obstacle and move forward.

The speakers also said that despite so many setbacks, Bangladesh has had tremendous success in realizing the rights of women since independence. But a force of darkness has come down to the ground tooth and nail to thwart this achievement. They do not consider women as human beings. They throw ugly words at women. “Women don’t need to come out of the house to earn money”, “Women don’t need higher education”, “Women earn money by committing adultery” and so on.

The speakers appealed to all to stand up against all the evil forces against women’s rights and freedoms. The leaders sharply criticized the injustice done to the working women in the garment factory with Covid 19 and called for reinstatement of the laid off women, payment of their salaries, overtime, arrears and reopening of the factory. Highlighting the huge contribution of women farmers in agricultural production during the Corona period, the leaders said that women farmers should be given fair wages and equal pay for equal work.

8 March 2021