In observation of the International fortnight and the World Human Rights Day (November 25 – December 10), Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) organized a poster competition for youth intitled ‘Stop violence against women and girls, build a new society’. Certificates and prize giving ceremony of this competition was held at Anwara Begum-Munira Khan Auditorium (Sufia Kamal Bhawan, 10/B/1, Segunbagicha, Dhaka) on December 7, 2022 at 3.30 PM.
The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP).
About hundreds of people including leaders of the central committee of the organization, members of the neighborhood committee, members of the study circle, participants of the competition, and officials of the organization were present in the prize awarding ceremony.
The competition was conducted by Afroja Arman, research officer of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP).
The poster competition was judged by renowned painter Sayeda Kamal, along with Ashok Karmakar, eminent painter and chief art director of Daily Prothom Alo. The welcoming speech was delivered by both Maleka Banu, General Secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), and Shima Moslem, Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP).
Ashok Karmakar, eminent painter and chief art director of Daily Prothom Alo, expressed that the posters depict violence, oppression, exploitation and discrimination against various types of oppressed and neglected people of the society, which includes women and children. Today, those who are able to create these posters, in the future they will play a bigger role to prevent violence and abuse against women and girls.
Dr. Fauzia Moslem, the president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), said that we have seen that the repeated events in the society stirs the mind. She mentioned that one of the experiences of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) is working on women’s movement, the posters revealed the work that the organization has been doing for a long time to make everyone aware and vocal about the oppression of women in the society. At the same time the society’s overall view towards women has also depicted. She added that we have to be aware that both a man and a woman can become a woman abuser because of the customs and education provided by the family and society. He called on everyone to come forward with the collective power for the development of society.
Maleka Banu, general secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), said that various initiatives have been taken to prevent violence against women as part of the International Women’s Violence Prevention Program. Violence against women is becoming a growing concern around the world. As a result, world is trying to free women from violence. On this purpose, to associate youth in the movement of prevent violence against women, a poster competition was organized for the first time. Many young people have responded to the poster competition, and reflected the collective thought to prevent women’s oppression and violence against women.
Shima Moslem, Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) , stated, violence is increasing as women advance. Despite the talk of development through the use of technology, increasing incidents of violence and abuse against women happening due to its misuse. The participation of poster competition highlighted the psychological thoughts on violence against women which will add a new dimension to the program formulation of the organization.
Mohammad Sayed Kabir, a student of Chittagong University, Department of Fine Arts, won the first prize in the competition. The second prize was awarded to Aishi Mitra, a student of Fine Arts Department of Chittagong University and the third prize was awarded to Sidratul Afia. Everyone was given certificates, crests and books. Special award was given to Umme Habiba, Central Women’s College; Madhurima Niyogi, University of Dhaka; Moumita Das Meghla, University of Dhaka.
