South Asian unity urged for just society

There is a need to forge friendships and alliances across borders and support each other in creating a more peaceful, just, and democratic South Asia, speakers said at a programme marking South Asian Women's Day yesterday.
South Asian Network of Feminist Activists and Trainers (SANGAT) has been observing this day all over South Asia since 2005 as a part of 16 days of activism to end violence against women.
A minute of silence was observed in the beginning of the event to commemorate the deaths of 111 garment workers in the Ashulia fire.
Kamla Bhasin, prominent South Asian feminist, activist and one of the founders of SANGAT, said, “The greed-based capitalist paradigm is causing widespread violence against women, Dalits, Adivasis, farmers, workers and sexual minorities. We need to challenge this paradigm all over South Asia if we want to establish peace, justice and democracy."
She invited everyone to join One Billion Rising, a global movement to stop violence against women.
The event included feminist songs, recitations, Adivasi dances, a short play by the sexual minority group, Shomporker Noya Shetu. It was jointly hosted by SANGAT and One Billion Rising Bangladesh on the premises of the fine arts faculty of Dhaka University.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, rights activist Hameeda Hossain, Barrister Sara Hossain, Naripokkho Coordinator Shirin Huq, Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam, and Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir, attended the programme.