Women run 10km at Hatirjheel for safe Dhaka
About 500 women of all ages and from all walks of life participated in a 10-km walkathon at Hatirjheel yesterday (Friday) morning, highlighting the demand for a Safe Dhaka for Women. Bangladesh Navy athlete Mirona came first, completing the walkathon in 52 minutes and 18 seconds.
The walk had started from the FDC-end of Hatirjheel at 8.30am. Mousumi Akhtar, a teacher from the Chittagong Gramar School, came second. A 48-year-old American, Christine Locki, was in the third position, followed by Lubiana Ahmed, an Independent University graduate and resident of Uttara.
The first five women were awarded medals, certificates and Tk. 1 lakh by way of incentives. The first 50 women who completed the race were given certificates. Information minister Hasanul Huq Inu was chief guest at the award-giving function.
Speaking on the occasion, Inu said the way women were coming forward in all aspects of life deserved praise. But they still lagged behind in sports. Despite being a symbolic event, the walkathon was significant in that regard, he added.
Answering a question on whether Dhaka streets were safe for women, the minister told reporters they could be considered safe despite some stray incidents when viewed in the light of the way women were harassed on the streets of developed countries.
Women should become more conscious about self-defence, the minister suggested. The walkathon terminated at the Hatirjheel point after navigating through Tejgaon Link Road, Police Plaza, Merul, Rampura TV Centre, Mahanagar, Modhubagh and Moghbazar Road.
