Women diplomats to stage \\\'Seven\\\'

Women diplomats and chiefs of UN agencies in Dhaka have joined hands to push women’s rights issue “higher” on the political and media agenda as they gear up to celebrate International Women Day on Saturday. Ambassadors Wanja Campos da Nobrega of Brazil, Hanne Fugl Eskjaer of Denmark, Merete Lundemo of Norway, Anneli Lindahl Kenny of Sweden, High Commissioner of Canada Heather Cruden, UNFPA Chief Argentina Matavel Piccin and UN Women Chief Christine Hunter will stage the play ‘Seven’ in the city on Monday. They are the only foreign female officials serving as heads of missions and UN agencies in Dhaka. ‘Seven’ is a play based on the real life stories of seven women’s rights activists from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Russia, Pakistan, Northern Ireland, and Cambodia who transformed their lives for the betterment of women after enduring violence. It will be presented at Dhanmondi’s Chhayanaut auditorium at 6pm, two days after the Women Day. “Equality for women is progress for all” is the theme this year. Giving a rehearsal reading before the media on Thursday, the diplomats said they would lend their voices to the narration of real women stories “who invested their lives for women rights”. They said it would also help to create awareness and make changes in Bangladesh’s society where statistics show about 80 percent women suffer from various forms of violence at home and outside, according to bdnews24.com.