They said the policy was changed secretly and without any discussion only to serve the purpose of a vested political party which does not believe in women's empowerment.

The meeting on the Restoration of National Women Development Policy 97 was organised by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) to discuss the issue with the representatives of political parties and civil society at Cirdap auditorium in the city.

Presided over by BMP President Hena Das, the meeting was addressed among others by its General Secretary Ayesha Khanam, President of Workers' Party Rashed Khan Menon, President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Hasanul Haque Inu, Economist MM Akash, Presidium Member of Gonotontri Party Azizul Islam Khan, Gono Forum leader Mofizul Islam Khan, Barrister Tania Amir and Advocate Sultana Kamal.

In a keynote paper parishad Secretary Rekha Chowdhury said the policy was prepared in the light of Beijing Plus Ten conference and Convention on the Elimination of All Sorts of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) document which were helpful for the advancement of women in the country.

"The amendment is totally political and it has been changed only to serve the interest of a particular political party with certain political ideology and other political parties should come forward along with women's rights organisations to resist the amendment," she said.

MM Akash said a fundamental change has been brought in the policy by omitting the words like equal rights of women in property, direct election in reserve seats in parliament and equal participation in employment.

Besides, a strategic change has been brought into the policy by the diluted speeches of a Jamaat representative, and the BNP government is supporting the change only for clinging to power, he added.

"Fundamentalism is the main hindrance to women's empowerment and concerted political movement is needed to restore the achievement made by the women community during the last few years," said Hasanul Haque Inu.

Rashed Khan Menon said the increasing control of a fundamentalist force over political, social and economic sectors has hindered women's progress in the country.

" We just want restoration of National Women Development Policy '97 and empowerment of women legally and politically," he added.

Representatives of different rights organisations including Ain O Shalish Kendra, Karmojibi Nari, Care Bangladesh, Steps Towards Development, Brac, Naripakkha and Concern Bangladesh were present at the meeting.