Why not approve women development policy for implementation?
Muhammad Quamrul Islam | Tuesday, 3 June 2008
A lot has been said in seminars on national women development policy-2008. An impact is awaited. Has it stirred women and men in different strata of society, and helped mobilise public opinion at the grassroots?
The rightist parties lost no time to demand scrapping of the policy without stating the reasons but touching the sensibility of the religious.
They held demonstrations under emergency that doesn't even allow ample scope for indoor politics. These parties don't enjoy public support. Only their followers support them. Bigger parties use them from time to time. It is reported that these parties, during their dialogues with the caretaker government [CG], objected to the national women development policy. The CG ought to have taken a stand, as it is not a new issue. Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal has rightly pointed it out in his article, 'Love for Mothers' recently published in a national vernacular daily, that there is no reason to give indulgence to these parties.
Four CG advisers formed a committee comprising Islamic scholars to review the policy. These scholars, throughout their lives, opposed progressive ideas and development of women. There is no woman in this committee. Is there not a single woman in Bangladesh, who is well versed in religion and can speak for women in meetings of the committee from Islamic point of view? Can women development policy be reviewed by anti-women males?
Again it is against the policy itself. But the caretaker government has allowed them to misinterpret Islam by the Islamic scholars, known for their reactionary view.
Look at the photo published in national dailies on May 7, 2008, which showed roundtable discussion on the rights of women in Islam. Chemon Ara Begum, Principal, Government Titumir College spoke. So, why a woman was not included in that committee is difficult to understand.
True, present CG is composed of persons, having heterogeneous backgrounds. We have seen advisers removed or stepping down suddenly.
Why had they act irresponsibly in forming the committee? It only allowed the Islamic scholars to speak irrelevantly. The indignity to mother, in their words, might not have been in their minds! Basically, they lack the awareness of the whole issue. What they are suggesting would make it repressive policy.
Watch the Peace TV run by Dr Zakir Naik, President Islamic Research Foundation in India. See how logically he explains the position of women in Islam in the light of the Holy Quran and the Hadith. It's not what happened in Muslim countries. Man and woman are equal. They have equal rights. Gender differences cannot stand on the way. Mother gets more respect from children than father, who gets a consolation prize. The physical differences confer greater responsibilities upon women. It should not be misconstrued to deprive women of their due rights. In no way women should be degraded. They should be respected. I would request all to watch this channel. At the question-answer sessions both non-Muslims and Muslims can attend and ask any question they like. Dr Zakir Naik replies to all. It is clear that many people don't have proper understanding of the position of women in Islam. These people should see Peace TV to enlighten themselves.
The enlightened find nothing wrong or against the principles of Islam in the proposed policy. But the vested quarters who interpret Islam for selfish ends, as usual, think differently.
The national women development policy 2008 is a 19-page a document. Of the five chapters in it, the first chapter deals with the 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 and organizational and institutional means for women development.
The second chapter spells out the objectives of national women development policy and its 19 targets.
Chapter three deals with human rights of women and fundamental freedom, abolition of all types of discriminations against female child and, towards that end, calls for new necessary laws. It stresses for the elimination of violence against women and highlights the condition of women in armed conflicts, 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 as well as women and mass media, specially relating to the situation concerning the distressed women.
The fourth chapter deals with the implementation strategy of national women development policy.
Chapter five deals with work plan and programme strategy, financial provision, empowerment of women and international cooperation.
It has been rightly pointed out by many that there is nothing in it to object. Even then it is difficult to understand why the 'Alem Olema' found it necessary to object to it in the name of religion. It 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's. They take no notice of violence against women reported in the media from across the country.
They take no notice of sexual assaults, rapes, throwing of acid, killing wife, trafficking of women and children, prostitution, bribery, etc.
Have they done anything for the moral improvement in this country when it was rated the most corrupt in the world for years?
The policy stresses the need for stopping harassment of female students of universities.
Zobaida Nasrin in her article published in a national Bangla daily on May 20, 2008 said that despite continuing a sexual harassments in three public universities late April and early May, the accused teachers were yet to be punished. If students are accused, they get punishments. But if a teacher is accused, all become active to save him.
In recent times, most allegations are leveled against teachers. Would they be pardoned for their alleged offence? The matter was brought to the notice of Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman for immediate action, and Women Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury for making specific provision against it, wrote Zobaida. She wrote, women are mostly victims of such crime in working places, educational institutions and other places. When women were so hilarious at the declaration of national women development policy, incidents like sexual harassment in universities made them hopeless. Why the caretaker government can't take action against the offenders when there is no party patronage. Why such uncertainty should continue.
Mother Development Society (MDS) at Velanagar, Narsingdi took an initiative to review national women development policy, at Narsingdi.
The Association of local development agencies in Narsingdi [ALDN] organised it at the MDS head office. Sakiba Khatoon, deputy programme manager, Campaign for Popular Education, presented the keynote paper, while Fahima Khanam, Coordinator of ALDN and Executive Director of MDS made introductory speech. Former assistant air chief Air Commodore M Shafiqul Islam moderated the meeting
Detailed discussions took place at the review meet that was chaired by Prof. Nurjahan Begum. Narsingdi District Women Affairs officer Rashida Begum, Principal Mashiur Rahman Mridha, journalists Abu Taher and Kazi Anwar Kamal, advocate Kaniz Fatema, the District Deputy Director of Bangladesh Islamic Foundation, the regional coordinator of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, teacher Ferdous Alam, advocate Abdul Aziz, president of ALDN M A Salam and others took part.
The speakers called for ensuring participation of women in all activities for sustainable development in this country.
They called for approving the national women development policy 2008 for implementation.
The caretaker government should take immediate steps to approve and implement the policy at the grassroots and make necessary provisions in the budget. International donors could be requested to provide assistance.
A politician and economist, the writer can be reached at E-mail:
[email protected]
The rightist parties lost no time to demand scrapping of the policy without stating the reasons but touching the sensibility of the religious.
They held demonstrations under emergency that doesn't even allow ample scope for indoor politics. These parties don't enjoy public support. Only their followers support them. Bigger parties use them from time to time. It is reported that these parties, during their dialogues with the caretaker government [CG], objected to the national women development policy. The CG ought to have taken a stand, as it is not a new issue. Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal has rightly pointed it out in his article, 'Love for Mothers' recently published in a national vernacular daily, that there is no reason to give indulgence to these parties.
Four CG advisers formed a committee comprising Islamic scholars to review the policy. These scholars, throughout their lives, opposed progressive ideas and development of women. There is no woman in this committee. Is there not a single woman in Bangladesh, who is well versed in religion and can speak for women in meetings of the committee from Islamic point of view? Can women development policy be reviewed by anti-women males?
Again it is against the policy itself. But the caretaker government has allowed them to misinterpret Islam by the Islamic scholars, known for their reactionary view.
Look at the photo published in national dailies on May 7, 2008, which showed roundtable discussion on the rights of women in Islam. Chemon Ara Begum, Principal, Government Titumir College spoke. So, why a woman was not included in that committee is difficult to understand.
True, present CG is composed of persons, having heterogeneous backgrounds. We have seen advisers removed or stepping down suddenly.
Why had they act irresponsibly in forming the committee? It only allowed the Islamic scholars to speak irrelevantly. The indignity to mother, in their words, might not have been in their minds! Basically, they lack the awareness of the whole issue. What they are suggesting would make it repressive policy.
Watch the Peace TV run by Dr Zakir Naik, President Islamic Research Foundation in India. See how logically he explains the position of women in Islam in the light of the Holy Quran and the Hadith. It's not what happened in Muslim countries. Man and woman are equal. They have equal rights. Gender differences cannot stand on the way. Mother gets more respect from children than father, who gets a consolation prize. The physical differences confer greater responsibilities upon women. It should not be misconstrued to deprive women of their due rights. In no way women should be degraded. They should be respected. I would request all to watch this channel. At the question-answer sessions both non-Muslims and Muslims can attend and ask any question they like. Dr Zakir Naik replies to all. It is clear that many people don't have proper understanding of the position of women in Islam. These people should see Peace TV to enlighten themselves.
The enlightened find nothing wrong or against the principles of Islam in the proposed policy. But the vested quarters who interpret Islam for selfish ends, as usual, think differently.
The national women development policy 2008 is a 19-page a document. Of the five chapters in it, the first chapter deals with the 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 and organizational and institutional means for women development.
The second chapter spells out the objectives of national women development policy and its 19 targets.
Chapter three deals with human rights of women and fundamental freedom, abolition of all types of discriminations against female child and, towards that end, calls for new necessary laws. It stresses for the elimination of violence against women and highlights the condition of women in armed conflicts, 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 as well as women and mass media, specially relating to the situation concerning the distressed women.
The fourth chapter deals with the implementation strategy of national women development policy.
Chapter five deals with work plan and programme strategy, financial provision, empowerment of women and international cooperation.
It has been rightly pointed out by many that there is nothing in it to object. Even then it is difficult to understand why the 'Alem Olema' found it necessary to object to it in the name of religion. It 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's. They take no notice of violence against women reported in the media from across the country.
They take no notice of sexual assaults, rapes, throwing of acid, killing wife, trafficking of women and children, prostitution, bribery, etc.
Have they done anything for the moral improvement in this country when it was rated the most corrupt in the world for years?
The policy stresses the need for stopping harassment of female students of universities.
Zobaida Nasrin in her article published in a national Bangla daily on May 20, 2008 said that despite continuing a sexual harassments in three public universities late April and early May, the accused teachers were yet to be punished. If students are accused, they get punishments. But if a teacher is accused, all become active to save him.
In recent times, most allegations are leveled against teachers. Would they be pardoned for their alleged offence? The matter was brought to the notice of Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman for immediate action, and Women Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury for making specific provision against it, wrote Zobaida. She wrote, women are mostly victims of such crime in working places, educational institutions and other places. When women were so hilarious at the declaration of national women development policy, incidents like sexual harassment in universities made them hopeless. Why the caretaker government can't take action against the offenders when there is no party patronage. Why such uncertainty should continue.
Mother Development Society (MDS) at Velanagar, Narsingdi took an initiative to review national women development policy, at Narsingdi.
The Association of local development agencies in Narsingdi [ALDN] organised it at the MDS head office. Sakiba Khatoon, deputy programme manager, Campaign for Popular Education, presented the keynote paper, while Fahima Khanam, Coordinator of ALDN and Executive Director of MDS made introductory speech. Former assistant air chief Air Commodore M Shafiqul Islam moderated the meeting
Detailed discussions took place at the review meet that was chaired by Prof. Nurjahan Begum. Narsingdi District Women Affairs officer Rashida Begum, Principal Mashiur Rahman Mridha, journalists Abu Taher and Kazi Anwar Kamal, advocate Kaniz Fatema, the District Deputy Director of Bangladesh Islamic Foundation, the regional coordinator of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, teacher Ferdous Alam, advocate Abdul Aziz, president of ALDN M A Salam and others took part.
The speakers called for ensuring participation of women in all activities for sustainable development in this country.
They called for approving the national women development policy 2008 for implementation.
The caretaker government should take immediate steps to approve and implement the policy at the grassroots and make necessary provisions in the budget. International donors could be requested to provide assistance.
A politician and economist, the writer can be reached at E-mail:
[email protected]