Women have been an intensive part of agriculture since the prehistoric times, contributing to the production of agricultural products. They are also contributing to the rearing of cattle, poultry and fishery. However, women are still deprived of acknowledgement as ‘farmers.’. Therefore, there is a need for an organized movement for the realization of women's rights in the field of agriculture.
These were the words of the speakers at a workshop titled “Women’s Land, Agricultural Rights for Achieving Gender Equality and Economic Empowerment: Our Responsibilities” organized by Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) at the YWCA auditorium in the capital's Mohammadpur on Saturday (June 5).
Executive Director of ALRD Shamsul Huda joined the workshop virtually. He said: Even though the size of our national budget has increase, the fate of the common man remains unchanged. Rightlessness and lack of justice prevails in the country. Murdered journalists Sagar-Runi are yet to get justice. To curb these injustices, the media can play a pivotal role. We urge everyone involved with the media to be increasingly vocal about the abuses of women in our society.
At the workshop, ALRD Deputy Executive Director Raushan Jahan Moni said, “We want all-inclusive economic development, not growth-based development, where the security and development of all marginalized, ethnic and religious minorities, including women, will be ensured.”
We need some legal and institutional reforms to ensure equal rights for women in all communities of the country in land rights, property rights and other areas. These issues need to be at the forefront and the media can play a vital role in it, he added.
In the keynote presented of the workshop, ALRD Assistant Programme Coordinator Sanjida Khn Ripa addressed the following issues: where intervention is required, loopholes in the legal system, the current status of land rights for women in Bangladesh, and international policy forums for women’s rights.
ALRD Programme Coordinator Kishore Tanchangya was also present during the workshop. 20 journalists and human rights activists took part in the workshop.
