Leaders of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, a women's human rights organisation, yesterday demanded introduction of a direct election system for the reserved parliamentary seats for women.
Speaking at a press conference organised by the parishad in the city's Jatiya Press Club, they also demanded increasing the number of reserved seats from 50 to 100, one-third of the total parliamentary seats.
The parishad acting general secretary Masuda Rehena Bagum was present.
Reading out a written statement, one of the parishad's leaders Rekha Chowdhury said it is not possible for democracy to flourish and to establish good governance without empowerment of women in the country.
It is essential to empower women politically to ensure equal rights and dignity of women at every tire of the state, she said.
The parishad President Ayesha Khanom demanded removal of "Bismillah-Ar-Rahman-Ar-Rahim" in the preamble to the constitution and the declaration of Islam as the state religion to restore the non-communal principle of the 1972 constitution.
Otherwise, this will create communal segregation in society, politics and even in formulating state policies, she said.
About the much talked about indigenous issue, Khanom said the ruling party in its election manifesto claimed they will constitutionally recognise the indigenous communities. "But we are surprised to observe that the government has moved from its previous stance," she said.
The constitution should be further amended to recognise the indigenous communities, she demanded.
Source : The Daily Star
