Women and children affairs ministry organised the rally styled Jago Nari Shomabesh to mark International Women's Day 2005.

An estimated crowd of 15,000 women from all the 64 districts covered almost half of the grassland facing the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Participants held colourful placards, banners and posters and chanted slogans demanding women rights. "Let us pledge for women's freedom and equality: Bring action to fully realise gender equality, development and peace."

Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, minister for local government, rural development and co-operative, was the chief guest at the rally. He inaugurated the event by releasing two colourful display placards tied to gas balloons.

Information Minister M Shamsul Islam, Minister for Women and Children Affairs Khurshid Jahan Haque, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Begum Selina Rahman, US Ambassador Harry K Thomas, UNFPA Representative Suneeta Mukherjee, among others, spoke at the rally.

In her speech Khurshid Jahan Haque said, "Our struggle for women's rights would continue until we achieve our goals to have equal rights and values in the society. But the movement has to start from the grass-roots level."

Besides speeches by the dignitaries, participants enjoyed songs sung to traditional rural tunes, and dramas highlighting, among other issues, violence and social injustice against women, dowry, and equal rights of women.

"We must fight to abolish disgusting traditions like dowry," said Tahmina from Chandpur. She held a placard that read 'Stop dowry'.

Rumela, a women rights activist from Mymensingh, said, "There are some superstitions about women working outside home. These are great barriers to women empowerment. Our leaders must stress the importance of getting rid of such ridiculous mindset."

"I am here to celebrate the day. But more importantly, now I can feel that we have a platform to raise our voice," said Sajeda from Dohar.

Directorate of women and children affairs had long been preparing for yesterday's gathering. It had instructed district commissioners to arrange vehicles to transport women from places across the country. Law enforcers kept the venue restricted to public for the last few days on security grounds.

"The gathering seems to have spent a huge amount of money, but in fact it cost us nothing as community based organisations and women associations paid for their own transport (fuel) and meals," Md Morteza Hossain Munshi, secretary of women and children affairs ministry, told The Daily Star.

He said, "For the first time in our country, such a huge gathering of women has been organised to observe an event. We had expected the number [of participants] to be around 10 thousand, but an estimate shows it comfortably exceeded the 15,000 mark."

Jago Nari Shomabesh is part of a nation-wide campaign entitled Jagoran Padajatra. Minister for women and children affairs inaugurated the campaign about a year ago. Such gatherings have already been held in 38 districts to develop an awareness to stop violence against women.