Don’t vote for those involved in violence against women

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad yesterday called upon people not to vote for candidates involved in violence against women, corruption, spending black money and using “muscle power”.

In a 45-point recommendation, the rights organisation also urged women councillor candidates to include women-related issues in their manifestos for the upcoming election to Dhaka north and south city corporations.

Dr Fauzia Moslem, acting president of the Parishad, made the call at a views-exchange at its Anwara Begum-Munira Khan auditorium in Dhaka.

Urban planners, rights activists and women councillor candidates attended the discussion on “Role of reserved seat women councillors in building a safe and woman-friendly Dhaka”.

The Election Commission will have to ensure adequate measures so that women and people with physical disabilities can cast their votes in a free, fair and secured manner, Fauzia said.

Besides ongoing development activities, the government should also ensure security for women, she added.

Other than ensuring women’s rights to cast votes properly, the EC will have to take appropriate measures so that anti-liberation forces, drug traders and human rights violators cannot contest the polls, Fauzia stressed.

Stressing that equal participation of men and women in running a state and decision-making process is imperative, 

Fauzia said a woman councillor [from reserved seat] has to work in three wards at a time.

In this context, women councillors cannot ensure their due role in development activities as they are deprived of adequate government funds and proper working environment, she said.

In his speech, urban planner Mobassher Hossain blamed the lack of proper coordination among the ministries, lawmakers and two mayors for various irregularities in Dhaka. “A city mayor’s power should be increased,” he recommended.

Farida Yasmin, general secretary of Jatiya Press Club, said without ensuring women’s rights, no development activity could be sustainable.

Nargis Mahtab, a councillor candidate in Dhaka North City Corporation, alleged that women candidates are facing various problems; even from male candidates in their own party. “We must change our patriarchal mindset to establish a women-friendly city,” she said.

Elections to two mayor, 111 councillor and 37 reserved women councillor posts in DSCC and DNCC will be held on January 30.