International Women�s Day today
Focus on gender equality
International Womens Day will be observed across the country and elsewhere today. The theme this year is Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality. Socio-cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day. The programmes include rallies, exhibitions, discussions, processions and campaigns for womens rights. The women and children affairs ministry will organise a discussion at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 10:30am. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to speak at the programme as chief guest.
The Samajik Pratirodh Committee will bring out a procession on the day.
The state minister for women and children affairs, Meher Afroz Chumki, will join an identical human-chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the morning. Amari Dhaka, one of the leading hotels in the country, will celebrate the achievements of women in all spheres of life on the day and Womens Recruitment Day on March 8, 2016. On this special occasion, Amari has organised a three-day activity specifically designed for women to share their aspirations and pay respect to women on 7, 8 and 9 March. Besides, supplements will be published and talk-shows will be organised by the print and electronic media. The first International Womens Day was observed on March 19, 1911. The inaugural event, which included rallies and meetings, was a big success in countries like Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The date March 19 was chosen because on this day the Prussian king promised to introduce votes for women in 1848. The promise gave hope for equality, but it was a promise that he failed to keep. In 1913, the date was changed to March 8.
