Recognition of women's contribution demanded

The government should honour and give due recognition to women who contributed to the Liberation War in 1971, said speakers at a workshop yesterday.
They also demanded constructing a memorial complex and a monument as a testimony to women's role during the war and their endurance in the face of repression.
They were addressing a daylong workshop styled "Violence on Woman and Reconstruction of Values: Perspective 1971" jointly organised by War Crimes Facts Finding Committee and Research Initiatives and Development at the Brac Centre Inn in the capital.
Noted litterateur Selina Hossain said women sacrificed a lot during the liberation war and fought in an equal level with men, but they have not been honoured and recognised by the state.
"This is the failure of the state and the governments that were in power in the last 41 years. The society could not accept the women who were repressed during the war due to decaying of values," she said.
She placed three-point demands--the government to recognise women freedom fighters and repressed women through a national convention on December 16, ensuring social security to them and making an archive documenting women's contribution and sacrifice.
"We request the prime minister to apologise, on behalf of the nation, to these women for the injustice they had to endure since liberation," she said.
War Crimes Facts Finding Committee Convenor Dr MA Hasan stressed the need for concerted efforts from all sections to rehabilitate these women.
Noted academician Mansur Musa, poet Kazi Rozi, spoke at the function among others.