International Women's Day (IWD) will be observed across the country today (Sunday).
The day is being observed with renewed calls for greater participation of women from the labour force to parliament and stronger measures to reduce violence against women.
In 1975, the United Nations declared the year as International Women's Year.
However, the first International Women's Day was marked in 1911, inspired by protests in New York where some 15,000 women took to the streets demanding shorter working hours, better pay and voting rights.
This year, UN Women has set the global theme as "Rights. Justice. Action", highlighting concerns over weakening justice systems for women amid conflict, repression and political tensions worldwide.
In Bangladesh, the theme for the day has been set as "13th National Parliament Election, Women Representation in Parliament: Reality and Expectation".
On Saturday, an IWD committee formed with 61 human rights organisations launched the day's programmes by holding a rally in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital and distributing leaflets, banners, and festoons supporting the country's theme.
Leaders at the rally highlighted women's low representation in the recent election.
They noted that although the reform committee on women recommended 50 per cent representation and women's rights groups demanded at least 33 per cent representation in the 13th national election, political parties on average nominated only 3.98 per cent female candidates. No woman candidate was nominated by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
Regarding the global theme for IWD 2026, UN Women noted that justice systems remain largely absent for millions of women and girls.
According to the organisation, about 676 million women and girls live within 50 kilometres of active conflict zones where perpetrators often act with impunity.
Globally, 54 per cent of countries still lack consent-based definitions of rape, while 44 countries do not have laws guaranteeing equal pay for work of equal value. Nearly three out of four countries still permit child marriage, limiting girls' education and future opportunities.
On the occasion, various organisations including Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Naripokkho and Manusher Jonno Foundation have also undertaken programmes highlighting persistent challenges to women's access to justice.
Speakers at these events pointed out that domestic violence, workplace harassment and technology-facilitated gender-based violence continue to affect many women, exposing gaps in the implementation of laws and access to justice.
International Women's Day also comes ahead of the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, which will focus on progress in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, particularly on ensuring women's access to justice.
smunima@yahoo.com
