Hope for a more equal world

Zonta’s biennial confce ends

Speakers on Sunday at the closing session of the 14th Biennial District Conference of Zonta District 25 said that a better world can only be achieved when women have access to all resources and are represented in decision making positions on equal basis with men, reports UNB.

The 3-day conference of Zonta District 25, an organisation comprising Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka and working on women's empowerment held in Dhaka at a city hotel started on Friday with this year's theme ‘Dare to Dream’.

“In order to achieve gender equality, we have to engage the womenfolk - who account for half of the population of the world - in the mainstream of development,” said State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki.

She said women are now getting self-reliant and becoming the earning members of the family.

The state minister also urged all to end all forms of violence against women lauding Zonta for their endeavors of empowering women through service and advocacy.

Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi urged to give half of the share of every position to women including in business sector.

“The time has come to us to demand 50 per cent of parliamentary seats not reserved but allocated for the women so that they can seat in election and get elected,” said Rizvi, adding women have always had to struggle for their rights.

He said the society still has to deal with so much inequality between men and women.

Zonta District 25 Governor Fahmida Karim said the main goal of Zonta is to achieve gender equality and empowerment of women. In the three-day conference, we had many programmes including workshop on 'how to stop harmful practice to women at public place, workplace and home,' said the governor adding the recommendations of the workshop will help them to further actions against these crimes.

Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir and Zonta District Foundation Ambassador Dilruba Ahmed were honored with the lifetime achievement award at the closing ceremony for their outstanding contributions to develop the women and the underprivileged people.

Khushi Kabir said women are not yet equal to men in society's eyes. "We still have so much to do."

Hope for a more equal world

Zontas biennial confce ends

Speakers on Sunday at the closing session of the 14th Biennial District Conference of Zonta District 25 said that a better world can only be achieved when women have access to all resources and are represented in decision making positions on equal basis with men, reports UNB. The 3-day conference of Zonta District 25, an organisation comprising Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka and working on womens empowerment held in Dhaka at a city hotel started on Friday with this years theme Dare to Dream. In order to achieve gender equality, we have to engage the womenfolk - who account for half of the population of the world - in the mainstream of development, said State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki. She said women are now getting self-reliant and becoming the earning members of the family. The state minister also urged all to end all forms of violence against women lauding Zonta for their endeavors of empowering women through service and advocacy. Prime Ministers Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi urged to give half of the share of every position to women including in business sector. The time has come to us to demand 50 per cent of parliamentary seats not reserved but allocated for the women so that they can seat in election and get elected, said Rizvi, adding women have always had to struggle for their rights. He said the society still has to deal with so much inequality between men and women. Zonta District 25 Governor Fahmida Karim said the main goal of Zonta is to achieve gender equality and empowerment of women. In the three-day conference, we had many programmes including workshop on how to stop harmful practice to women at public place, workplace and home, said the governor adding the recommendations of the workshop will help them to further actions against these crimes. Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir and Zonta District Foundation Ambassador Dilruba Ahmed were honored with the lifetime achievement award at the closing ceremony for their outstanding contributions to develop the women and the underprivileged people. Khushi Kabir said women are not yet equal to men in societys eyes. We still have so much to do.