Law interview
Unite to end gender discrimination
In view of the International Women's Day 2009, Law Desk (LD) sent a questionnaire to some concerned citizens so as to learn their positions on different issues related to women's rights movement. The response that we have received will be shared with you in two consecutive issues. Hereby we are publishing the replies from Ms. Saira Rahman Khan (SRK), Assistant Professor, School of Law, BRAC University, and Barrister Moyeen Firozee (MF), Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
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IWD |
Law Desk (LD): What is the relevance of International Women's Day (IWD)? Does it make any difference?
Ms. Saira Rahman Khan (SRK): In reality IWD should be a reflection of our different realities as women, complete with contradictions, loopholes and different priorities. In Bangladesh, workshops and rallies are held to reflect these and to highlight issues such as violence, discrimination, etc. In my opinion, IWD should be the day where every woman should take the patriarchal bull by the horns and give it a good shake! However, it is also my opinion that women should not have just one day to air their collective grievances and voice their collective rights. Incidents of violence and discrimination happen every day in women's lives, even on IWD, some woman somewhere is being violated. IWD celebrations in Bangladesh, in my opinion, really do not make a difference, because nothing is being done to rectify the problems highlighted every IWD. In an ideal world, we should be able to celebrate being a woman every single day.
LD: What are the priority areas that need to be addressed in upholding women's rights and ensuring equality between women and men?
SRK: Before we get into 'gender equality', we need to ensure 'gender equity' and give women what is rightfully theirs. Women are deprived of property rights, discriminated in the law and by society and taken undue advantage of. The first priority is to ensure gender equity, ensure proper and effective implementation of laws, and change social attitudes towards women.
LD: Do you think our government is committed enough to dealing with women's issues?
SRK: The fact that the government is yet to lift reservations on Article 2 of CEDAW speaks volumes in this regard.
LD: What role citizenry can play in making a safer world for all irrespective of gender?
SRK: Just as 'Charity begins at home', citizens of Bangladesh, irrespective of social or economic standing, must impart to their children, irrespective of sex, the lesson to respect mothers and sisters to ensure a safer, better and more respectful society.
LD: What is the relevance of International Women's Day (IWD)? Does it make any difference?
Barrister Moyeen Firozee (MF): Although historically IWD started as a political event protesting against working conditions for women, the day to some extent has lost its political importance, and becomes simply an occasion for men to express their love to the women around them. Despite that IWD gives us an opportunity to remind ourselves about some core issues that often remain unnoticed.
LD: Do you see any marked change in terms of realising women's rights in all spheres of society during the last decade?
MF: Not in overall perspective. But most noticeable change is that people are freely talking about women's rights, specially women in Bangladesh themselves become more vocal which, I believe, will lead towards achieving success in establishing women's rights in all spheres of society.
LD: What are the priority areas that need to be addressed in upholding women's rights and ensuring equality between women and men?
MF: Nothing can be achieved unless we change our mindset towards women and their basic human rights. Most important priority area is the primary education. It is hard to change a grown-up person's mind. But appropriate curriculum with proper guidance from trained teachers can make a real difference from the very early age of a person. Schools also should have programme to educate the parents of the respective students. The phrase 'ensuring equality between women and men' can itself bring inequality. What is important is to give equal opportunity and equal treatment to both women and men whereby each woman will place herself in accordance with her own ability and aspiration.
LD: What role citizenry can play in making a safer world for all irrespective of gender?
MF: Abusive behaviour of one gender to the other is not what is worrying, it is the lack of social responsibility that tacitly endorses the view that abuse towards women is taken for granted. Mere enactment of laws will never address the issue, till more is done to create social awareness, give appropriate respect to each other and enhance family values and bond.
Compiled by: Law Desk.
