The Central Committee of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) and Dhaka University Debating Society organized a debate competition titled “Enforcement of Empathetic Laws or Proper Investment- Which is Necessary to Combat Violence against Women?” on December 7, 2023 at 3:00 PM. The competition was held as part of observing International Fortnight to resist violence against women and Human Rights Day (November 25 – December 10, 2023). The event took place at Anwara Begum Munira Khan Milonayatan of the central office of BMP.
Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of the Central Committee, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), was present as the moderator at the debate competition. Rina Ahmed, Secretary of Training, Research and Library Subcommittee of BMP, gave the introductory speech. General Secretary Maleka Banu, delivered the welcome speech.
In the welcome statement, General Secretary Maleka Banu emphasized that the primary objective of the women’s movement is to foster gender equality globally. She acknowledged that the active participation and initiative of young individuals are crucial in achieving the organization’s goals. Rather than relying on blind faith, the promotion of a modern, rational, scientific, and gender-friendly society is imperative through open debates and healthy competition.
The debate competition had a panel of judges including Shima Moslem, the joint Secretary of BMP; Amit Dasgupta, the Deputy Attorney General; Habiba Rahman, assistant professor, of the Television, Film and Photography Department at Dhaka University; and Mahbubur Rahman Masum, president of the Dhaka University Debating Society, and Fuad Hossain, General Secretary. In the debate competition, Dhaka University Debating Society team consisting Fariha Naushin, Taslima Tarif Nabila, Mosaddeka Afrin Dola, Abrar Tamim, and Mehedi Hasan. The opposition team included Nahida Sultana, Aleya Sultana Toru, Habibur Rahman Jihad, Mehedi Hasan Siddiqui, and Maysha Maliha. The winning team spoke in favor of the statement. Among the winning team, Abrar Tamim was selected as the best speaker, team leader Mehedi Hasan was the second-best speaker, and Maysha Maliha from the opposition team was the third-best speaker.
The central committee of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, along with the secretaries organizers, and staff, participated in the debate competition event.
The research officer of the training, research, and library subcommittee of BMP, Afruza Arman, conducted the event.
