GAIBANDHA, NOV 26, 2023 (BSS)-International Women Oppression prevention fortnight began here as elsewhere in the country and the globe yesterday with a call to build a peaceful society through stopping female oppression.

This years’ theme of the fortnight is “Investing in preventing violence and protecting sexual and reproductive health rights to achieve gender equality”.

On the beginning of the fortnight, SKS Foundation, a Gaibandha based non-govt voluntary organization, chalkedout elaborate programmes under community based Resilience Women’s Empowerment and Action (CREA) project funded by the Embassy of Sweden and supported by Manusher Jonno Foundation.

On Saturday’s morning at 10 am, a human chain was formed at Tengrakandi char under Fulchhari upazila in the district. A large number of charwomen and girls participated in the human chain taking placards, festoons and banners inscribed with anti-female oppression slogans.
 
Later, a discussion was also held on the premises of Tengrakandi MA Sabur Dakhil Madrasah with its superintendent Abdus Salam in the chair while project coordinator Lovely Khatun conducted the function as moderator.
 
Upazila academic supervisor Nure Alam Siddiquee, assistant teachers of Fulchhari Junior High School Samsul Alam, Abdul Mannan Sheikh and community members-Morsheda Begum and Morzina Begum addressed the meeting.

The speakers said women and children are largely becoming victims of sexual violence and rape as they are the most vulnerable group in the society.

They stressed to build up social movement against domestic, sexual violence and rape to bring down the number of cases.

They also urged all the stakeholders of the society to come forward with positive attitude to eliminate all sorts of female oppression and sexual harassment to build a peaceful society.

In the discussion, the speakers highlighted various public awareness messages including prevention of violence in all areas including family, society and educational institutions, increased investment in protection of sexual and reproductive health rights and called for building a prosperous nation.

Apart from it, a debate competition on the issue was also held on the fortnight beginning.
 
A huge number of women from all walks of life, female students and NGO activists took part in the programmes.