Political empowerment of women a must for dev

Speakers at a workshop here yesterday called for making the womenfolk politically empowered in the greater interest of enhancing their self-confidence, which would ultimately contribute to the efforts for further progress and prosperity in the country.
They said there is no alternative to making the women self-dependent to carry forward the nation's hopes and aspirations as they represent half of the country's total population.
Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) and Fair Election Monitoring Alliance (Fema) jointly arranged the workshop titled 'Women's political empowerment' at the conference hall of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).
Some 50 people, including political leaders, teachers, women activists and NGO representatives, took part in the workshop and gave their respective views on the issue.
Fema local unit President advocate Mohsin Khan and General Secretary Shahin Ahmed, BNWLA Divisional Coordinator advocate Deel Sitara Chuni and Deputy Director Fainur Rahman spoke on the occasion as the resource persons.
The speakers viewed that the politically empowered women would be able to play remarkable supportive roles in the nation-building process to help alleviate poverty.
Major political parties should take the responsibility of involving more women in politics, they added.
Highlighting different aspects of empowerment, they said violence against women could be stopped side by side with upholding their rights through allowing them to be self-reliant in their respective fields.