The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed has called upon all, irrespective of their professions and positions, to put in their best efforts for creating an appropriate political and socioeconomic structure to ensure overall development of women as well as the nation.

He made the call while addressing a function marking the International Women's Day 2008 organised by Women and Children Affairs Ministry at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. The theme of this year's Women Day is 'Investing in Women and Girls'. Women and Children Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury presided over the function. Women and Children Affairs Secretary Begum Rokeya Sultana also spoke on the occasion.

At the function, the Chief Adviser formally unveiled the cover page of National Women Development Policy 2008 that suggested setting aside one-third of parliamentary seats for women and arranging direct election to the reserved seats. It also suggested appointment of an adequate number of women, if necessary under the related section of the Constitution to the highest-level of Cabinet Division and the policymaking level of the administration.

On health and nutrition part, it called for formulating and implementing a law for providing maternity-leave to working women for five months. "On the International Women Day," the Chief Adviser said, "The country needs to think about such a social structure where women would get the full opportunity to express and show their capabilities and efficiencies.

"For this, it's necessary to change social attitude towards women first. If we can build a liberal and real democratic system through combined efforts then certainly there will be a remarkable change in Bangladesh's women sector," he told the function. Advisers, diplomats, noted personalities, senior civil and military officials and girls and women were present at the function. The CA said a committee formed by the present government on strengthening and infusing dynamism into local government institutions has recommended direct election on rotation for having 40 percent women members and councilors in all tiers of the local government.

He said if it is implemented women participation will be increased to a large extent to ensure good governance at the grassroots level. Referring to various progarmmes taken by the government for the welfare of women, he said a new programme regarding maternity allowance for poor mothers to reduce the maternal and child mortality rates has been launched. "Some 45,000 mothers have already been included under the programme," the CA told the function. He said the national women development policy has also been updated. Citing some successful stories on women development, he said participation of girls at the secondary level is higher than that of boys and now 44 percent teachers in the country's primary schools are women. "The participation of women in the administration, judiciary, armed forces and all professions are gradually increasing," he added. According to different information and statistics, the Chief Adviser said, it has been learnt that a negative attitude towards daughters at the family and social levels is now changing fast. Later, a colorful cultural programme, staged by the children of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, was held. The Chief Adviser witnessed the cultural show.