HWF holds discussion on women rights in Lakshmichari

chtnews.com
News No. 104/2009, August 13, 2009
The Hill Women’s Federation on 10 August organised a discussion in Lakshmichari with the slogan “Take part in the struggle for full-autonomy and ensure the rights of the women”.

Held at the office premises of Lakshmichari Union Council, the discussion was presided over by HWF president Sonali Chakma.

Konika Dewan, General Secretary of the HWF, presented the key note address.

Abdul Wahid, owner of a progressive publishing house “Joban”, and Amir Abbas Tapu, member secretary of Jatiya Mukti Counci Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts Chapter, also took part in the discussion as speakers.

Abdul Wahid said in a male-dominated society women are deprived of many rights. He stressed the importance of recognising the rights of the Jumma women in traditional customs.

Amir Abbas Tapu said in the Chittagong Hill Tracts women are suppressed in various ways. “The Jumma women are oppressed by both their male partners in a male dominated society and by various state forces” he added.

Sonali Chakma said women are neglected in our society and they are deprived of their due rights.

“Jumma women are most vulnerable to military repression in the CHT; we have to think twice before speaking about women rights because there are instances of Jumma women being assaulted for raising women issues. ” she added.

She said there are daily reports of incidents of rape or repression of women in the newspapers.

On the question of representation, she said Jumma women do not have proper representation in their social, political, administrative and state institutions.

She urged all to take part in the full autonomy struggle in order to speed up the movement for establishing women rights in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and in the whole of Bangladesh.