Leaders of Naripokkho and Durbar Network yesterday demanded cancellation of the committee formed by the government to review the National Women Development Policy (NWDP) 2008.
At a press conference held at the National Press Club yesterday, the women's rights activists said that if the necessity of reviewing this policy arises, then the government should discuss it with the women's rights organisations.
They demanded the immediate implementation of NWDP 2008.
Begum Shamsun Nahar, convener of Naripakkha and Durbar Network, said that it is surprising that the government has formed a review committee headed by the Khatib of the Baitul Mukarram mosque who placed recommendations under the pressure of a religion-based political party that is always opposing women's rights in the country.
The NWDP 2008 is the result of a 30-year struggle by the country's women and a way to ensure women's constitutional rights. But a vested quarter is opposing the policy and trying to create anarchy in the country to bar its implementation, other speakers said.
The women leaders also said that the National Women Development Policy has been drafted on the basis of equal rights and the rationality of its amendment should be considered seriously.
They pointed out that equal rights for women are being implemented in different Muslim nations. The government should take initiatives to overcome the factors limiting the implementation of the policy instead of overlooking the problems, they said.
Among others convener of Naripakkha Rowshan Ara Baby, pro-convener of Durbar Network Rowshan Ara Benzir and treasurer of Durbar Network Jesmin Khanam also spoke at the press conference.