“The government is pledge-bound to empower women and remove all kinds of discrimination against them. We will repeal the laws which are responsible for creating any bar to establishing gender equality,” says Barrister Shafique Ahmed, the minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of the Bangladesh government.
The minister made such speech in a national seminar on “Status of Implementation of National Polices and other Commitments Related to Women in Bangladesh” organized by BNPS on 20 June 2009 in Dhaka. Professor Salahuddin M. Aminuzzaman of the University of Dhaka shared the research findings on the above issue. The research argued that although significant constitutional provisions and statutory laws have guaranteed women’s equal rights, but because of some discriminatory personal laws, political culture, lack of commitment, the patriarchal socio-economic system and traditional mindset, Bangladesh could not proceed to the expected direction and keep the pace to achieve gender equality. Professor Momtaj Begum, Chairperson of Jatiyo Mohila Sangstha attended the seminar as special guest while Dr. Shirin S. Chaudhury, Member of the Parliament, Mr. Shyamal Dutta, Editor, Daily Bhorer Kagoj, Mr. A H M Abul Kashem, former Secretary to the Bangladesh government and Mr. K. A. M. Morshed, Assistant Country Director of UNDP Bangladesh were the panelists in the event. The seminar was moderated by Ms. Rokeya Kabir, Executive Director of BNPS and a variety of participants included members of parliament, government officials, NGOs/civil society representatives, academics, researchers and journalists among others were present there. The event was covered by local media agencies including The Daily Star (http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=93534), English daily in Bangladesh.
“The national budget should address the needs of men and women differently”, participants made such comment in a validation workshop on the draft report entitled “Status of Women in the National Budget of Bangladesh” took place on 30 May 2009 in Dhaka.
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