The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a view-exchange meeting here on Tuesday urged the government to formulate a women-friendly budget for ensuring equal rights of women in society.

They said such a budget is necessary for empowering women so that they can contribute to national development at all levels.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organised the meeting on 'Demand for specific allocation for women in next budget' at the Jatiya Press Club with Parishad President Ayesha Khanam in the chair.

Chairman of Unnayan Samanny Dr Atiur Rahman, President of Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Selima Ahmed, Gender Specialist Tapati Saha and Chairman of Women Affairs of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Shirin Khurshid Jahan spoke as the panel discussants.

General Secretary of the Parishad Maleka Banu also addressed the meeting, while Research Fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Dr Nazneen Ahmed was the key discussant. Secretary of movement sub-committee of the Parishad Rekha Chowdhury conducted the meeting.

Dr Atiur Rahman said equal rights of women would not be possible in the budget without ensuring women empowerment in family, society and politics.

He urged the government to strengthen the women affairs ministry to serve efficiently for ensuring equal rights for women.

Dr Nazneen stressed the need for formulating a gender sensitive budget removing discrimination between male and female.

She said, "We have to ensure a favourable atmosphere for women so that they can work in all sectors with their male counterparts equally."

Selima Ahmed urged the government to keep allocation in the budget for women entrepreneurs for flourishing their business, which will help their empowerment.

Maleka Banu demanded sector-wise allocations for women in the next budget to implement the national women development policy.