District Policy Forums Celebrate International Women's Day 2023
March 8th marked International Women's Day, a day to recognise the social, economic, cultural, and political contributions and achievements of women around the world. The theme of this year was “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” P4D’s District Policy Forums (DPFs) celebrated the occasion by organising events in 11 districts across Bangladesh with participation from members of parliament, Chairman of District Councils, Deputy Commissioners, Police Superintendents, Director of Women Affairs, and others. Many stakeholders from civil society organisations including the press club president, academicians, social activists, and NGO representatives were present. A total of 983 individuals participated in these events, and the vast majority, 624, were female.
The celebration included various activities including discussion sessions and rallies. The discussion sessions aimed to highlight the challenges faced by women in different fields and the need for gender equality. The participants discussed issues including women's empowerment, gender-based violence, women's education, and equal opportunities for women.
The rallies added a sense of comradery and community as participants marched together holding banners and placards and chanting slogans in support of women's rights. The rallies helped raise awareness about women's issues and the importance of gender equality to the greater community members.
The day’s events were covered by many local and national newspapers and 3 national TV channels (BTV, Machranga, and 71), as well as many online media outlets. The media coverage highlighted the importance of International Women's Day and the efforts being made to promote gender equality and women's empowerment by the DPFs.
Speaking at the event, senior government officials and policymakers emphasised the need for concerted efforts to address the challenges faced by women and promote gender equality. Ms Yasmin Parvin Tibriji DC, Bandarban said without the empowerment of marginalised women, a nation can never experience true growth. They praised the organisers for their efforts in organising such events and bringing together stakeholders from different sectors to work towards a common goal. Citing the importance of knowledge and skills, Ms Syeda Zohura Alauddin, MP, Moulvibazar said every woman should take the initiative to pursue education and training to contribute to the development of our nation.
The DPFs’ celebration of International Women's Day was a resounding success, as participants from all backgrounds voiced their support for women’s rights and empowerment. The event served as a reminder of the progress made in promoting women's empowerment, while also highlighting the work that still needs to be done to ensure equal opportunities and rights for women all across the country.
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