Dhaka, 2nd October 2011. Today National Committee on International Rural Women Day Observation at National Press Club, in a press conference announced country wide programs on 15th October the international day on rural women. Main campaign issue of the day this year is “Claim and Ensure Rights Over Land and Inheritance for Women”. On behalf of the committee Morshead Khatun Dilara, Joint Secretary, National Committee moderated the session; Advocate Shamima Sultana Silu, Chairman, Khulna, District Committee, read out the written statement; others speakers are Salma Akhter, Chairman, Khustia District Committee; Jashim Uddin from Savar Committee and Mahabub Alam Feroze of National Committee.
Mosheda Khatun Dilara mentioned that it was the 1995 Beijing women conference adopted the proposal for observation of 15th October as Rural Women Day, later during 2007 UN has adopted a resolution for marking the 15th October as International Rural Women Day. Since 2000, in Bangladesh NGOs and CSOs observing the day to raise voice for the Rural Women and it is one of the initiatives without any external funding.
In written statement from national committee as read out by Advocate Shamima Sultana Silu, described different international charters and clauses from national constitutions which state in favor of women’s equal rights over land and inheritance, it is also mentioned that some of the national policy is not so clear on the issue. The statement also said that, this is society has need greater awareness and simultaneously the state has to ensure the equal rights for women in land and also in inheritance.
Salma Akhter from Khustia has mentioned that, there will be press conference, seminar and rally in each districts, one of the major attraction of the day observation is that, in each district there will be award of honor for rural man who has created examples in giving due inheritance to thier sisters and mothers, and rural women who has contributed in respect of mid wifery, seed preservation, claiming legitimate rights over government resource, etc. A national seminar on the issue will be held in Dhaka.
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