Staff Reporter:
The declaration of “Narir Dake Maitree Jatra”, a women-led programme representing diverse professions and backgrounds, has called for equal rights and social dignity for all, particularly women and marginalised communities.
At the event held on Friday afternoon on the capital’s Manik Mia Avenue, participants demanded that the interim government ensure protection for women and marginalised groups and take effective steps against rumours and religious incitement. The declaration was read out by three women from the families of the July martyrs.
A key demand of the declaration was that at least 33% of candidates in the upcoming election, proportionate to the female population, must be women.
Women workers, students, teachers, cultural activists, professionals and people from various sectors participated in the event under the slogan “We stand for equality”.
The declaration urged the interim government to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities by actively countering threats of violence against women, disinformation related to the Women’s Reform Commission report and the misuse of religion to create fear or instability.
It also stated that any political party or group seeking public support—whether through electoral pledges or reformist agendas—must clarify their positions on the rights of women, workers, and ethnic, religious, linguistic and gender minorities. These parties must also state their stance on ensuring full political, economic and personal freedom for these communities.
In addition, the declaration demanded urgent government action to improve education, healthcare and socio-economic empowerment of women and disadvantaged groups.
The readers of the declaration vowed not to tolerate continued violence and discrimination against women, or any conspiracy to deny their fundamental rights. They said any attempt to exploit culture or religion as tools of oppression will be firmly resisted.
The declaration emphasised, “Our culture, religion and history are rich in diversity and sensitivity. We will not allow narrow and historically disconnected interpretations to become dominant by ignoring this richness. We reject any conflict between rights and religion, and we refuse to accept ambiguity regarding dignity. We will hold the government and all political parties accountable for their stance on women. We pledge to dismantle the power structures that sustain oppression.”
The declaration concluded with a firm commitment: women will not abandon the dream of a just Bangladesh or the struggle to achieve it.
The Maitree Jatra began at 3:30 pm with the national anthem, following the arrival of participants from 2:00 pm onward, many carrying colourful banners and placards bearing messages of equality.
Participants marched from Manik Mia Avenue to Khamarbari, Farmgate and Indira Road, before returning to the starting point around 6:30pm. Throughout the procession, they chanted slogans demanding equal rights, labour rights, safety and dignity for women, denouncing fascism and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Various progressive organisations expressed solidarity with the programme, including Bangladesh Students’ Union, Revolutionary Students’ Unity, Socialist Student Front, Women’s Liberation Centre, Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, Hill Women’s Federation, Indigenous Union, Garment Workers’ Liberation Movement, Science Movement Platform, Socialist Women’s Forum, Bangladesh Women’s Alliance, Nari Sanghati, Student Front (Marxist), Tirondaj and Workers’ Rights Movement, among others.
