Int'l Women's Day today

Daily Star, Volume 3 N.1240, Saturday 8 March 2003

International Women's Day will be observed in the country today as elsewhere in the world with a renewed pledge to establish women's rights.

On this day in 1857, female workers of a sewing factory in New York fought police to protest against a 12-hour workday, low pay and unhealthy condition at workplaces.

The day was declared International Women's Day during the second International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen in 1910 following a proposal by German Socialist Movement leader Klara Jatekin.

President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in separate messages on the eve of the day expressed their firm conviction that the spirit of the International Women's Day would inspire the country's womenfolk to put in their best efforts to establish women's rights.

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina in a message urged the countrymen to launch a united movement against repression on women.

UN secretary general Kofi Annan in a message said promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women represents a new way of doing development business.

Different organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.

Some 50 women's associations and development agencies under the banner of International Women's Day Observation Committee will hold rallies, processions and cultural programmes in the city to mark the day.

Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra and Shishu o Nari Nirajatan Protirodh Committee will hold rallies at different places in the city.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh National Co-ordination Council of Textile Garments and Leather Workers and ‘A Stand for Self Reliance’ will hold discussions in the city.