The New Nation - Internet Edition

Muhammad Quamrul Islam

A lot has been said in the seminars held at different cozy auditoriums in the capital, by different organizations including same person under different banners on national women development policy-2008, carried in electronic and print media, whose impact is awaited. Has it stirred women and men in different strata of society, and mobilized public opinion at grassroots levels? The so-called religion based parties did not lose time to seize a point to make their presences felt, demanded scrapping of national women development policy without stating the reasons but touching the sensibility of innocent poor ignorant Muslim, say those Friday rallies at north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque reported in the media.

These parties run on autocratic lines all along till to date dared to do it under emergency that don't have inner party democracy of any sort. Nor enjoy public support except some followers, but toe a big party citing them as vote bank, under their command, get support of a big party or ruling regime, said an Islamic scholar. It is reported those parties called in current dialogues with non-party caretaker government [CG] would object the national women development policy. On going CG ought to have faced them strongly, as it is not a new issue, instead of giving indulgence, as pointed out by writer Prof Muhammad Jafar Iqbal in an article on 'Love for Mothers' published in a national vernacular daily on May 9, 2008.

He said four advisers of CG formed a Committee of 'Alem Olama' to review the policy that throughout their lives have opposed progressive activities, and raised obstacles to all types of development of women. There is no woman in this committee of ' Alem Olama'. Is there none in this country of 150 million populations, half of whom is woman, who is well versed in religion and talk in meeting of the committee from Islamic point of view? What type of logic women development policy reviewed by anti- women male? Again it is against section 3.5 of declared policy, but it has allowed give scope misinterpret Islam by them- pseudo Islamic scholars! Look at the photo of Nari Adhikar Andolan published in national dailies on May 7, 2008, which showed roundtable discussion on ' the rights of women in Islam'; Cemon Ara Begum, Principal, Government Titumir College spoke. So, why a woman was not included in that committee is not understood.

True, present CG is composed of scattered persons. We have seen advisers to step down suddenly. Why they acted irresponsibly in forming that committee, would people pardon them? It enabled 'Alem Olema' to speak irrelevantly even to indignity mother that might not have been in their minds! Not only that, they in the name of religion spoke changes in the policy, which if agreed to would be a repressive policy, he said rightly.

See how eloquently he explains position of women in Islam in the light of holy Al Quran and Hadith, not what happening in Muslim countries. Man and Woman are equal in rights and gender differences cannot stand on the way. Mother gets respect from children higher than father who gets a consolation prize. There are physical differences, which confers so responsibilities, should not be misconstrued deprive women due rights; eventually means equal between men and women. In no case women should be degraded but respected. We would request all to watch this channel, and question answer session where non- Muslims and Muslims are at liberty to put up questions that may arise in their minds for answer by Dr Zakir Naik. It is clear many have no proper understanding of the position of women in Islam, concerned persons from this country contact Peace TV: The Solution for humanity in this information age for clarifications.

Let us take a look at national women development policy 2008. It is a small document, which comprises 19 pages only. There are five chapters in it. In the first chapter condition of women in Bangladesh: introduction, world perspective and Bangladesh, position of the women in development plans of Bangladesh, women and human rights, women in human resource, politics and administration, organizational and institutional means in the women development.

Chapter 2 contains: objectives of national women development policy stating specific 19 targets. It appears from the copy of policy I got the ordering of numbers should have been 2.1 to 2.19 instead of 1.1 to 1.19. It causes duplication of numbers in document, as 1.1 to 1.6 has appeared twice under two different subjects, which is not proper as correctly said.

Chapter 3 to ensuring human rights of women and fundamental freedom, abolition of all types of discriminations against female child and towards that enact new necessary laws, eliminate all repressions on women, armed conflict and condition of women, education and training, sports and culture, ensuring equal participation of women in every national economic activities, political empowerment of women, women in administration, health and nutrition, housing and shelter, women and environment, women and mass media, to specially distressed women.

Chapter 4: implementation strategy of national women development policy, national level, women development focal point, women development implementation monitoring committee, district and upazila levels, grassroots levels, cooperation with NGO and social organization in women development, research on women and gender equality, strengthen women development training institution.

Chapter 5 contains work plan and program strategy, financial provision, empowerment of women and international cooperation.

It has been rightly observed; as one goes through this policy one will not find any point to object. Even then 'Alem Olema' found it necessary to object in the name of religion that has dumbfounded the pious Muslims. It seems they are afraid of women empowerment. They are against quota system on the plea it is undignified for women. But, interestingly they said dignity of woman is less than man. They do not take notice of violence against women countrywide reported in the media, say- sexual assaults, rapes, throwing of acid, killing wife, trafficking of women and children, prostitution, bribery, etc. What they did to improve moral, as this country is rated most corrupt in the world? Took no action, but part of ruling regime.

Zobaida Nasrin in her article published in a national vernacular daily May 20, 2008 said sexual harassments occurred in three public universities late April and early May, against which there're agitations movements continuing, reported in media. But accused teachers are yet to be punished. If students are accused, they get punishments; but if the accused is teacher all become active to save him. In recent times most allegations are leveled against teachers. Would they be pardoned for same offence? The matter is brought to the notice of Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman for immediate action, and Women Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury for making specific provision in the Policy against it, as felt by the writer Zobaida. She further added women are mostly victims of such crime in working places and other places including educational institutions. When women were so hilarious, at the declaration of national women development policy, incidents like sexual harassment in universities made them hopeless. CG can take action against culprits; there is no party patronage now. Otherwise uncertainty would continue to prevail.

Thanks to Fahima Khanam Executive Director MDS who invited me to attend review meeting on May11 well in time, reminded, and in pursuance Shamsuzzaman Milon met me to accompany. Due to my indisposition I could not undertake the journey in spite of my keen desire to attend. I prefer such meeting hearty and productive to Dhaka that is to great extent publicity prone. I was mentally present there though not physically talked to Fahima in course of meeting on that day over mobile who told me progress, gave in turn to another concerned for exchanging views. I got the proceedings of the meeting, which I would like to share with readers.

It was organized by Association of Local development agencies in Norsingdi [ALDN] and held at ITDE room of MDS head office, which was attended by fifty representatives. Sakiba Khatoon, Deputy Program Manager, Campaign for Popular Education, presented the keynote paper, while Fahima Khanam, Coordinator of ALDN and Executive Director of MDS made introductory speech. Ex Assistant Air Chief Air Commodore M Shafiqul Islam moderated the meeting

The review meeting on national women development policy was presided over by Prof Nurjahan Begum and detailed discussions were held, participated by local leaders. They are Norsingdi district women affairs officer Rashida Begum, Principal Mashiur Rahman Mridha, Journalists Abu Taher and Kazi Anwar Kamal, Advocate Kaniz Fatema, district deputy director of Bangladesh Islamic Foundation, regional coordinator Dhaka Ahsania Mission, senior teacher Ferdous Alam, Advocate Abdul Aziz, President of ALDN M A Salam and others. Apart, Journalist M Zainul Abedin, executive director and coordinator of local organizations- Rahela Begum, Dil Tanjila Dalia and so on were present.

The speakers called for ensuring participations of women in all activities for sustainable development of this country. It is resolved to achieve goals stated in different documents, final approval to national women development policy 2008 is essential. It is necessary to facilitate implementation of the Policy. We agree.

In view of what has been said above and spontaneous positive responses from all quarter including grass roots levels local organization, there is no reason for hesitation according final approval. I am hopeful CG would take immediate steps implement the policy at the grassroots levels and make necessary provisions in the budget. International donors may be requested to help local organizations countrywide that will ultimately produce national leaders in bottom up process. In that way democracy will flourish. It is to be kept in mind women of this country have glorious tradition.

(The columnist Muhammad Quamrul Islam is a senior politician and economist)