On November 21, 2023 (Tuesday) at 11.00 am, a tribute program was organized on the occasion of the 24th death anniversary of the founding president of the organization, Poet Sufia Kamal, at Anwara Begum Munira Khan Auditorium (10, B/1, Shegunbagicha, Dhaka) at the central office of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.
Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) chaired the program. Maleka Banu, General Secretary gave the welcome speech. Sultana Kamal, Prominent lawyer and human rights activist; Adv. Masuda Rehana Begum, Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Afruza Arman, and Research Officer were present as discussant.
Umme Salma Begum, Organization Secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad facilitated the program.
At the beginning of the ceremony, a wreath was placed on the portrait of Poet Sufia Kamal in tribute to her memory. Sharmin Shathi Moyna, an eminent musician performed music. Officer Dolan Krishna Sheel, IT Officer of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad recited a poem. After the discussion, a documentary exhibition was held titled Leelaboti Nag: The Rebel.
In the welcome speech, Maleka Banu, General Secretary said that during the short span of human life, she has left an outstanding contribution to human welfare. She was a clear political thinker. She was always vocal against the degradation, environmental degradation, communalism, and fundamentalism created in the society.
Sultana Kamal, a prominent lawyer and human rights activist who was present as a discussant said that the idea of her motherhood was fearless. She was the refuge of all. She always gave importance to the practice of humanity irrespective of caste, religion, and race. Finally, she read out a letter from Sufia Kamal. “Rokto Pathar paar holo din, tomra shobai rekho omolin.”
Adv. Masuda Rehana Begum, Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad said that Poet Sufia Kamal was a reflection of liberal thinking, non-communal thinking, consciousness, and thought. She was always vocal for women’s education and women’s freedom. Under her leadership, Mahila Parishad was able to enact essential women-friendly legislation, notably the preparation of the proposals of the Dowry Prevention Act 1980, the Marriage and Divorce Registration Act, and the Uniform Family Law.
Afruza Arman, Research officer said that Poet Sufia Kamal worked for women’s liberation by breaking the social chain. Responding to her call today, all of us should be energized, we should move forward with firm conviction in establishing a society based on equality between men and women to establish women’s rights.
In the President’s speech, Dr. Fauzia Moslem said, she was always contemporary. She used to say that I am very afraid of how the twenty-first century will be, how will the humanity of this century be. However, a complex situation has arisen in today’s society. Protect humanity, establish human rights – this slogan should be brought forward. She used to say that if you can move forward, the obstacles ahead of you go backward- by saving her call, the organization will work with everyone to establish women’s rights and human rights.
