Women participants in the student-led mass uprising on Friday demanded equal presence of women in state policy making.
They came up with the demands at a dialogue titled 鈥榃here have all the women gone?鈥� jointly organised by voluntary organisations Loraku 24 and Empowering Our Fighters at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
They said that women played a crucial role in the movement of against discrimination, going beyond the division of gender, race and identity.
Women, however, mostly remain invisible in the post-uprising activities to rebuild the country after the fall of the Awami League regime on August 5, they added.
The speakers said that representation of only a particular gender in state policy making would be a betrayal with the uprising鈥檚 spirit 鈥� abolition of discrimination.
Kaniz Fatima Mithila, an organiser of Loraku 24, said that women were cornered in the post-uprising activities, despite their significant role in the success of the movement.
Women themselves have to fight for their fair share, said Mithila.
Doctor Orthi Jukhrik, who setup a temporary first aid facility in Dhanmondi, said that there was no equal representation of women in the reform commissions.
鈥業 hope that the authorities will address the gender equality issue in state policy making,鈥� said Orthi.
Samiya Akhter Jannat, a student protester, demanded equal opportunities for women in state policy making.
Women student protesters and volunteers of the uprising shared their experiences and talked about the role of women in the movement.
Jannatul Ferdous Nipu, a student protester from Barishal, said that women across the country participated in the movement overcoming family and social barriers.
鈥榃e organised the movement in Barishal facing continuous threats from Awami League leaders and followers,鈥� said Nipu.
Sumaiya Rishu, a coordinator of the uprising in Noakhali, urged the authorities to ensure balanced and equal representatives from women in state policy making to build a discrimination-free country.
Besides, writer and activist Rahnuma Ahmed, women rights activist Shireen Huq and youth leader Nazifa Jannat, among others, were present expressing solidarity with the dialogue.