'Ensure right atmosphere for exercising women's rights'
If any girl falls victim of sexual harassment, the family often tries to arrange her marriage quickly -- a common practice, which, a college girl regrets, is not a solution to the problem.
She says the girls in such a situation are compelled to marry due to pressure from the family members.
Shabnam Mostari, a student of Cox’s Bazar Government College, insists that it is necessary to make the guardians aware of rights of women to overcome the social stigma.
She came up with her views at a roundtable on parity and empowerment of women without privileges, and protection of health of mother and children.
It was organised by Prothom Alo with assistance from UNFPA, at Seagull Hotel in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday. Prothom Alo associate editor Abdul Quayum moderated the session.
Saying that it is not enough to make women aware of their rights, discussants urged all to work for creating conducive atmosphere so that the women can exercise their rights in society without fear.
Member of parliament from Cox's Bazar-2 constituency Asheq Ullah underlined the importance of making people aware about raising capacity of women in various fields including education.
He however said lack of coordination of different sectors hampers implementation of initiatives taken in this connection.
A deputy chief at the General Economics Division of the Planning Commission, Moniurl Islam, put emphasis on the coordination between different bodies within the government in attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Terming problems in road communication a concern, he pointed out that such lacking may impede better healthcare facilities.
Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner M Ali Hossain said no one has data about area-specific problems of women in the country.
Non-government development organisations want to work only in towns, he said.
The official added that conditions of family planning in remote areas such as Kutubdia island are poor "but no one wants to work there".
The deputy commissioner stressed the need for increasing allocation for infrastructures in coastal areas like Kutubdia.