DU Prof Gitiara Nasreen disappointed over government ‘let-down’ in Women’s Reform Commission

“I want to know from political parties about their stance on discrimination against women,” she says

Gitiara Nasreen, a member of the Media Reform Commission and a professor at Dhaka University, has criticised the role of the interim government in the situation that arose after the publication of the Women's Reform Commission report.

At the Consensus Commission's exchange of views on Sunday, the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism teacher said: “The commission has been formed by the interim government. Yet, it is being attacked.

“Nothing is being communicated clearly, which makes it difficult for us to remain optimistic.”

The interim government formed 11 reform commissions in different sectors to carry out institutional changes.

Of these, the Women's Reform Commission submitted its report to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Apr 19 with 433 recommendations.

Criticism of the recommendations began immediately after the report was submitted, and discussions soon followed about the commission.

Hifazat-e Islam, one of the largest platforms of the Islamists, has been demanding the abolition of the commission, and Jamaat-e-Islami rejected the recommendations.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by the student group that led the mass uprising, believes some recommendations have pitted religion and women against each other.

Counter-statements have come from several political parties and 110 citizens. They said the government should clarify its position on this issue and protect the commission.

Gitiara said, “There may be differences of opinion. But a commission was formed, and after working hard and compiling a report based on everyone’s opinions, there are now calls for it to be abolished.

“It is being ignored and attacked. Unfortunately, the government has not said anything clearly about it yet.”

The professor is “concerned” about the way the general public's opinion and their safety are being viewed.

Gitiara said, “I will talk about women because we have witnessed their marginalisation from the very beginning.

“Despite the significant presence of women in the uprising, we are now seeing their severe marginalisation everywhere.

“Apart from the Women's Reform Commission, women's representation remains low.”

She also demanded the political parties clarify their stance on women.

“I want to hear from the political parties about their stance on discrimination against women. We must engage them in dialogue,” she added.

Samina Luthfa, an associate professor at the Department of Sociology at Dhaka University, has demanded political parties nominate 33 percent of women candidates in the elections.

She said, "Women want to enter politics, and they must be given that opportunity. That is why they are demanding each political party nominate 33 percent women candidates in the elections.”