Justice Golam Rabbani speaks at a discussion at the National Press Club in the city yesterday.Photo: STAR

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad yesterday called on the government to withdraw its reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in order to ensure development of women.
The government had ratified the convention with some reservations, but it is time to withdraw the reservations to ensure empowerment of women and their active participation in decision-making, which is a must for advancement of society, rights activists said at a discussion.
The Mahila Parishad organised the discussion at the National Press Club to mark the International Cedaw Day to be observed on Wednesday.
The Parishad also placed a 21-point demand including incorporating sections of CEDAW into the country's laws and policies and taking necessary steps to formulate a new citizenship law in line with the Cedaw.
The government should also take up programmes and formulate policies to increase women's participation at every level of society, the speakers said and also called for implementing the National Women Development Policy 2008.
Speaking as the chief guest, Justice Golam Rabbani said that using religion in politics is holding back the women's political empowerment.
Different fundamentalist groups have been creating discrimination in society by using religion in politics, he said and called for a ban on such activities.
Rekha Saha presented the keynote paper at the discussion presided over by Mahila Parishad President Ayesha Khanam.