Indigenous women urged to unite to fight repression

Speakers at a seminar yesterday called on the indigenous women to unite to fight all forms of social repression they are facing.

They pointed out that indigenous women suffer multiple discriminations, first as women and second as people from indigenous community.

The Garo Indigenous Michik Association organised the seminar at a city hotel.

Speaking as chief guest, Norwegian Ambassador Aud Lise Norheim said women in Bangladesh, especially the indigenous women, are vulnerable to repression.

She called for raising social consciousness among the indigenous women and educating them.

The ambassador also suggested involving them with the world forum of the indigenous women.

Sanjeeb Drong, general secretary of Bangladesh Forum for the Indigenous People, said most indigenous women are subjected to social repression.

The traditional social norms of the Garo community have already been abolished, leading to the obliteration of the matrilineal society, he said.

Mamun-ur Rashid, a dramatist, said the government should take measures to uphold the culture and traditions of indigenous people.

Professor Sedaqa Halim said indigenous women are more vulnerable to repression by the majority community.

"When an indigenous woman go out of their locality she faces more problems than the girls from the majority community," she said.

The indigenous girls pointed out some problems they face at different level -- lack of networking among themselves, accommodation crisis, acute poverty, social insecurity and sexual harassment.

Pabitra Manda, secretary general of Michik Association, also spoke at the seminar presided over by its President Papri Areng.