Staff Correspondent

Various women’s and socio-cultural organisations on Saturday demanded an equal share of inherited property and salaries and wages similar to men’s.

Women in various programmes marking International Women’s Day also demanded an immediate formulation of a comprehensive women development policy making provisions Continued from page 1 for equal shares of inherited property for men and women and salaries and wages for women similar to men’s.

They also demanded that women should account for one-third of the members in all elected bodies. The chief adviser, Fakhruddin Ahmed, at the state function organised by the women and children affairs ministry marking the day in the Osmani Memorial Hall auditorium, launched the draft of the National Women Development Policy 2008 which suggested setting aside one-third of the parliamentary seats through direct elections.

It also suggested appointment of an adequate number of women in the Cabinet Division and administration policy-making and also provisions for equal shares of inherited property for women. Women’s and socio-cultural organisations, and government and non-governmental agencies organised programmes such as meetings, rallies and discussions, marking the day and placing a series of demands.

Jatiya Nari Jote at a discussion demanded ensuring equal rights of women to property, similar wages for similar jobs for men and women, and security for women at workplace and outside. Speakers at the programme also demanded that women should account for one-third of the members involved in policy-making and legislation process.

Human rights organisation Odhikar at a discussion said justice delivery system, especially in relation to crimes, was not pro-poor and pro-women. The criminal justice delivery system must use all the tools to provide justice especially for the poorer section of society, including compensation award directly to the victims and ensuring legal aid, the discussants said.

The organisation also stressed the need for a law affording state protection to victims and witnesses of heinous crimes to protect them from being harassed further and to ensure that the perpetrator is duly punished. The Partnership of Women in Action in a discussion demanded inclusion of the female labourers in informal sectors, ensuring their appointment letters, fixed work hours and proper wages.

According to statistics available with the government, informal sectors employ more than one crore women labourers and the number is gradually increasing, mainly with women from low-income groups getting involved in such jobs and they need protection from the government, the organisation said.

The Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies said the Labour Law 2006 does not cover 80 per cent of the women labourers. More than 90 per cent of about half a million women join the workforce, but they remain out of labour law purview. The organisation also demanded equal treatment, just, equal wages and opportunities at work, job security, women-friendly workplace, fixed work hour, leave with pay, maternity protection and women labourers’ right to organisation.

The Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry demanded a women-friendly environment for trade and industries sectors. Karmajibi Nari said no achievement was visible in connection with women development although the constitution recognises equal rights for men and women. It also welcomed the draft women development policy prepared by the government and demanded its immediate implementation.

The National Garments Workers’ Federation at a briefing demanded special measures for the inclusion of all women labourers in electoral roll, special allocation for women in the national budget, and transport, accommodation, and healthcare facilities for women labourers. It also demanded equality in promotion in all garment factories, ensuring maternity leave and establishment of day-care centres in all garment factories.

The Acid Survivors Foundation and Prothom Alo organised a rally to sensitise the people to acid violence marking International Women’s Day. The National Girl Child Advocacy Forum called for elimination of all sorts of discrimination against women. They put out the call at a function at Shatayu Angan in Ramna Park.

Stressing the need for ensuring women’s representation in the parliament and local government bodies, the organisation also urged all to work together to bring an end to trafficking in women, acid violence, and physical and mental repression on women.

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