When we celebrate the International Women’s Day (IWD) this year we shine the brightest light on the vast majority of women – especially in developing countries that live and work in rural areas and whose empowerment is about bringing the…
Category: Feature
Sri Lanka blocks social media as anti-Muslim riot flares up
Religious violence flared anew in the hills of central Sri Lanka on Wednesday despite a state of emergency, with Buddhist mobs sweeping through towns and villages, burning Muslim homes and businesses and leaving victims barricaded inside mosques.
47 artists mark the anniversary of 7th March speech
An 11-day long ‘Bangabandhu Cultural Festival’ began with the inauguration of an art camp at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Wednesday.BSA organized the festival on the occasion of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic speech of 7th March.
Girls, women must gain equality in all aspects of life: EU
Brussels, 6 March – Equality between women and men is one of the fundamental values of the European Union enshrined in our treaties. Our Union is a pioneer in tackling gender-based discrimination and we can be proud of the progress…
State of emergency in Sri Lanka to face communal violence
Sri Lanka’s government has imposed a nationwide state of emergency to “take stern action” against people instigating communal violence, according to a government spokesperson.
France to set age of sexual consent at 15
France plans to fix the legal age of sexual consent as 15, meaning sex with someone younger than that would be considered rape.Equality Minister Marlène Schiappa welcomed the move, which follows advice from doctors and legal experts.
Historic March 7 Wednesday
Dhaka, Mar 6 – The Historic 7 March, a memorable day in the history of Bangalees’ long arduous freedom struggle, will be observed on Wednesday with elaborate programmes.
Ferdousi Priyabhashini passes away
Noted sculptor and freedom fighter Ferdousi Priyabhashini passed away in a city hospital on Tuesday noon. She was 71.Ferdousi Priyabhashini, who has been suffering from multiple complications includingkidney ailment, diabetes, high blood pressure, orthopedics and heart disease, and undergoing treatment…
Kuwaiti ban on domestic helps not average workers
Dhaka, March 6 – Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Islam yesterday has said that his ministry is not aware about imposing ban on recruiting Bangladeshi workers by Kuwait.
’94pc women commuters in BD experience sexual harassment’
Dhaka, March 6 – About ninety-four per cent women commuting in public transport in Bangladesh have experienced sexual harassment in verbal, physical and other forms, a study by development organisation BRAC has revealed.
When environmental crises hit homes, women suffer the most
By Victor Tsang and Shari Nijman Nairobi, Kenya, Mar 5 (IPS) – When Mandelena became a mother, she was only 16. During the prolonged dry season in Gwor County, South Sudan, her community saw crops failing and cattle dying. Children…
Making the business case for gender equality
Achim Steiner and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka New York – Around the world, gender bias is attracting renewed attention. Through protest marches and viral social-media campaigns, women everywhere are demanding an end to sexual harassment, abuse, femicide, and inequality.
Private agencies announce Hajj pacakage of Taka 232000 each
STAFF REPORTER Dhaka,Mar 5 -The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Today announced the Hajj packages keeping minimum cost at Tk 332,868 per pilgrim those who wanted to perform Hajj this year.
France’s McDormand wins best actress Oscar
Los Angeles, Mar 5 (AP/UNB) —McDormand’s portrayal of a mother seeking justice for her murdered daughter in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” has won the best actress Academy Award.
Rise of feminism and the renewed battle for women’s rights
By Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini Washington DC, Mar (IPS) – In 1909, the Socialist Party of America, in support of female garment workers protesting working conditions, designated March 8 as a day to honor women. By 1917, women in Russia were protesting…
Ebadi for women’s awareness against patriarchal culture
Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian Nobel laureate, has urged the womenfolk to get educated to change the patriarchal culture.“And this is basically because men don’t want women to be literate and educated because once they become educated they’ll try and weaken…
DU observes Nat’l Flag Hoisting Day
Dhaka, March 2 – Dhaka University is observing the National Flag Hoisting Day on Friday with due respect. On this day in 1971, the national flag of a yet-to-be independent Bangladesh was raised at a massive students gathering at Dhaka…
A long way still to achieving gender equality: Int’l Women’s Day
By Akinwumi A. Adesina Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Mar 1 (IPS) – International Women’s Day is a call to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of women and a reminder that globally, we are a long way from achieving gender equality.
Hindus celebrate Holi Festival of colours
Hundreds of Hindu community members today celebrated Holi, a religious festival of colours, across the country with much enthusiasm and religious fervor.
3-day Lalan Festival kicks off in Kushtia
Kushtia, Mar 1 – In memory of legendary mystic bard Baul king Lalon Shah, a three-day Lalon festival kicked off at Lalon Akhra of Cheuria village of the district from Thursday. The festival will feature Lalon Mela, discussion and musical soiree…
Culture of deep-seated denial of sexual violence in Sudan
By Pramila Patten UN, Feb 28 (IPS) – At the invitation of the Government of Sudan, I visited Sudan from 18 to 25 February 2018. The objective of the visit was to gain first-hand knowledge of the situation, assess the…
Monsoon season threatens more misery for Rohingyas
By Naimul Haq Dhaka, Feb 28 2018 (IPS) – More than half a million Rohingya refugees crammed into over 30 makeshift camps in Cox’s Bazar in southeast Bangladesh face a critical situation as the cyclone and monsoon season begins in…
The next stage of women’s emancipation
February 6, 2018, marked the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, which enfranchised (some) women in Britain for the first time – a reward for women’s work during World War I. In honor of this historic event, statues…
French singer Ariana Vafadari performs at Shilpakala Academy
Dhaka, Feb 27 – French singer Ariana Vafadari’s musical performance, organised by Alliance Française, Dhaka, was held at Experimental Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on 27 February Tuesday.
DNA paternity claims against sexually abusive peacekeepers
As sexual abuse and paternity claims continue to rise against UN peacekeepers overseas, the United Nations is actively collaborating with troop contributing countries (TCC) in collecting DNA samples: a protocol introduced back in 2014.
Nigerian government acknowledges 110 girls still missing
Maiduguri, Feb 26 (AP/UNB) — Nigeria’s government acknowledged Sunday that 110 girls remain missing nearly a week after Boko Haram militants attacked their town. Frustrated family members already had compiled a list of missing girls after saying officials were being…
U.S. shifts its embassy to Jerusalem in May
Mohammad Zainal Abedin, NY The United States of America (USA) shifts its embassy to Jerusalem in May next from its current location, Tel Abib, the traditional capital of Israel.
Ex Amir of Khalafat Andolan Ahmadullah Ashraf no more
Moulana Ahmadullah Ashraf, former Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan died of old age complications at the Ibne Sina Hospital at 7-15 am on Friday he was 80.
World leaders abandon human rights: Amnesty International
In 2017, the world witnessed a rollback of human rights. Signs of a regression were everywhere. Across the world governments continued to clampdown on the rights to protest, and women’s rights took a nosedive in the USA, Russia and Poland.
Some missing Nigeria girls ‘rescued’ after school attack
Some of the schoolgirls missing after a militant attack on a boarding school in northern Nigeria have been rescued by the military, officials say.