RAJSHAHI, March 9, 2024 (BSS) - Various government and non-government development organisations observed the International Women's Day-2024 befittingly here Friday with the unanimous call of freeing the womenfolk from all sorts of violence, disparity and discrimination for overall development of the nation.

This year's theme of  "encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities."
Marking the day, the district administration and department of women affairs jointly organised a post-rally discussion meeting at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) in Rajshahi city.
 
Commissioner of Rajshahi division Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir addressed the meeting as chief guest, while DC Shamim Ahmed was in the chair.
Additional DC Joya Maria Perera, Additional District Magistrate Sabiha Sultana, Deputy Director of Department of Women Affairs Sobnam Shirin and social worker Shahin Akter Rainy also spoke.
 
The discussants unanimously termed the day's theme as time befitting in the current perspective and wished success of all programmes of the day.
 
In his remarks, Commissioner Dr Humayun Kabir said the present government under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly for the development and empowerment of women.
 
He said the government has also attained success in the field of establishing equal rights for women side by side with generating employment opportunities for them.
 
Besides, the present government has taken various initiatives to create a women-friendly atmosphere in the country so that women can play an important role in boosting economic development.
 
Various other development and volunteer organizations, including Bangladesh Mohila Parishad (BMP), Paribartan, Barendra Unnayan Prochesta, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA), Association for Community Development (ACD), Centre for Capacity Building and Voluntary Organization and Ladies Organisation for Social Welfare staged a post-rally street corner meeting at Shaheb Bazar Zero Point.

Vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar addressed the meeting as chief guest with local unit BMP President Kolpona Roy in the chair.

Senior Journalist Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Paribartan Director Rashed Ibne Obayed, RULFAO Director Afzal Hossain and BNWLA Member Advocate Shamima Nasrin also spoke.
 
Prof Golam Sabbir mentioned gender balance is the precondition to substantial and sustainable progress of the nation and it is very important to the development of the national economy.
 
Responsive support from the community, especially teachers, parents and leaders of influence has become a must for stopping child marriage.

Eradicating child marriage is imperative as the social menace hampers many socio-economic developments in the country.

Prof Sabbir Sattar said more community participation is needed to build a society free from child marriage as it's a precondition to end violence against women.