A community-run was arranged on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 7:00 am, from Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar to Shahbag by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) and BDRunners to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Human Rights Day, and Rokeya Day. Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, inaugurated the event as the chief guest.
Dr. Seuty Subur, member of the central committee of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad said that this joint initiative of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and BDRunners has successfully empowered young people to join the fight for women’s human rights. She expressed her satisfaction with the event and stated that the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and BDRunners will continue their firm commitment to combating violence against women and girls in the future.
Following the community run, members of BDRunners, including Jahidur Rahman Tushar, Kiyau Sain Thai Doli, Panshi Khan, Shah Alam Siddiqui, and Ayesha Siddiqua, shared their perspectives on the event. They highlighted the issue of violence against marginalized women, which often goes unnoticed in our society compared to violence against highly educated women in universities. The organization, inspired by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, aims to shed light on the untold stories of many women and empower them. The speakers emphasized the importance of raising awareness and taking action against violence, starting from the family unit. By involving women and girls in the community run, the message of unity, awareness, and resistance against violence can reach all segments of society. They called for collective efforts to combat violence against women and stressed the need to support women as successful runners by providing more opportunities for collaboration. The speakers also highlighted the equal abilities and skills of both boys and girls in running, urging the removal of any obstacles that may arise. They emphasized that becoming a mother should not be seen as the end of one’s path, rather as a social process that should include mothers in all activities and provide them with a supportive environment.
During her speech, Dr. Fauzia Moslem expressed her gratitude to BDRunners for their commitment to combating violence against women. She urged everyone to actively participate in the Rokeya Day event. Quoting Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, Dr. Fouzia Moslem said that Begum Rokeya emphasized the importance of fortifying ourselves against criticism and disrespect in order to effectively contribute to society. She stressed the significance of empowering women and safeguarding their human rights by addressing various forms of oppression and injustice prevalent in our society. By providing us with a roadmap to advance the women’s rights movement, Begum Rokeya has shown us the way forward, and it is our responsibility to follow it diligently to ensure progress in women’s empowerment. Dr. Fouzia Moslem called upon the youth to extend their support and cooperation in strengthening and making the women’s movement more impactful.
In the event, General Secretary Maleka Banu, Joint General Secretary Sima Moslem, and Ad. Masuda Rehana Begum, Organization secretary Umme Salma Begum, Publication secretary Saraban Tahura, Finance secretary Dil Afroze Begum, Training, Research and Library secretary Rina Ahmed and Legal Aid secretary Rekha Saha; BD Runner’s activist Imtiaz Elahi, other members, and Dhaka University’s Runner’s Community member Mr. Ishthiak Uddin. Journalists from print and electronic media and the organization’s staff were also present.
Jana Goswami, advocacy and lobby director of BMP conducted the event.
