RAJSHAHI, Nov 2, 2022 (BSS) - Women leaders at a human chain here today unequivocally called for 100 reserved seats for the women in the Jatiya Sangsad for substantial and sustainable political empowerment of the women.

Rajshahi District unit of Bangladesh Mohila Awami League organized the human chain and street corner meeting at Shaheb Bazar Zero Point here to press home their demand.

With the district unit president of Mohila Awami League Morjina Parveen in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by local unit president of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad Kolpona Roy, Rajshahi Divisional unit chief of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association Advocate Dil Sitara Chuni and President of Diner Alo-Hijra Society Mohona Sarker.

Morjina Parveen told the meeting that women empowerment is very important for continuing the pace of women development. So, they are demanding 100 reserved seats for women in parliament. Side by side with their progress and improvement women will go forward if their demands are met.
 
It may be mentioned here that there are only 50 reserved seats in the Jatiya Sangsad now for the women.

She also said the government under the prudent and farsighted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly for the total empowerment of the women for the overall development of the country.

Taking the issue of women importance to the nation-building process into special consideration, the government has adopted diversified programmes so that the womenfolk can contribute to take the nation forward spontaneously.

Already, the government has attained success in this field as women participation in the local government institutions has been ensured and they have been working for the welfare of the womenfolk significantly.

Listing various initiatives adopted by the present government, Morjina Parveen, local unit chairman of Jatiya Mohila Sangstha, said special allowance has been arranged for union level women for making them self-reliant. In many fields, women were given priority.

She, however, opined there are more ways to go for women empowerment side by side with ensuring gender balance in every sector.

Terming the present government as women-friendly, she said the government has attached top priority for women development.

Kolpona Roy put emphasis on both men-women equal participation for achieving the SDGs by 2030 coupled with building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh by 2041.
Advocate Dil Sitara Chuni called for a concerted effort of all the government and non-government sectors for freeing the women from all sorts of violence and repression.

Utmost emphasis should be given on sustainable development of the womenfolk, she added.