IN FOCUS
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Seminar on
Women’s Leadership as a Poverty Reduction Strategy: Lessons from Bangladesh
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Ryan Higgitt, a PhD student from Queens University, Canada, presented today the results of his research on women’s leadership as a poverty reduction strategy to a large audience at the YWCA Auditorium, Mohammadpur, Dhaka on 31 August 2010. For nine months in 2008, Mr. Higgitt worked closely as a researcher with local human rights NGO, Nagorik Uddyog, gathering data on the situation of women’s poverty in rural Bangladesh and efforts undertaken by Nagorik Uddyog and other Bangladeshi NGO’s to empower women by way of leadership-building activities. The seminar was organised by Nagorik Uddyog and VSO Bangladesh.
At the seminar, Chaired by human rights activist Advocate Sultana Kamal of Ain O Shalish Kendra, Mr. Higgitt argued that though calls are increasingly being made to cultivate women leaders as a means toward expanding women’s political space, little is being done to analyze and understand what exactly the connections are between women’s leadership and social change. His presentation was thus foremost an effort to stimulate much needed discussion among intellectuals and development practioners within Bangladesh’s development community on what leadership means and how it might be useful as a poverty reduction tool.
After providing a survey of the gendered nature of poverty in Bangladesh, Mr. Higgitt offered an analysis of the Gavatri Spivak’s ‘strategic essentialism’ as one potential answer to what he calls “the paradox of leadership” in the context of development. Specifically, Higgitt argued that NGOs currently utilizing women’s leadership-building schemes need to be weary of the danger of actually reinforcing the kinds of dominant binary thinking that in fact work to privilege some and oppress others, including women. By avoiding essentialist conceptions of ‘womanness’ in favour of more nuanced definitions that recognize and embrace difference and contradiction, women’s leadership schemes, and indeed the women leaders that are produced through such schemes, can better challenge patriarchal systems of power and control.
Comments on the research and it implications were provided by seminar discussants, Aroma Dutta, of PRIP Trust and Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh, Dr. Mabuba Nasreen of the Department of Sociology, Dhaka University, Dr. Sadeka Halim, Bangladesh Information Commission, Shahana Hayat, Executive Director, VSO-Bangladesh, and Zakir Hossian, Chief Executive of Nagorik Uddyog.
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Speakers at the Discussion Meeting
The organizations should take self-initiation in the establishment of the people’s right to information
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The law regarding the right to information was passed in 2009 to prevent corruption through the establishment of transparency and accountability in the country. The authority is bound to provide information if the public demands it according to the law. However, the organizations themselves should come forward to disclose information instead of waiting for the public demand. This will ensure the transparency and accountability of the organizations and will help to play a role in preventing corruption. The speakers have said this in the conference titled ‘Establishment of Transparency and Accountability and the Right to Information Law to Prevent Corruption’, jointly organized by Nagorik Uddyog and Campaign for Citizens Rights to Information (CCRTI) at the National Press Club Conference Lounge, in 26th June 2010.
The guests of the conference were the country director of Hunger Project of Bangladesh and the Secretary of Shujan (Citizens for Good Governance) Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, the country director of Article 19Tahmina Rahman, and general secretary of Bangladesh Human Rights Journalist Forum Mr. Khayruzzaman Kamal. Conference mediator was the member secretary of Rights to Information Movement Mr. Zakir Hossain and the main presentation was presented by Hamidul Islam Hillol from CCRTI.
In the presentation it was said that, the public can get the advantage of Rights to Information by applying the social audit and public hearing method. In the presentation, the application and advantage of social audit manual and public hearing was presented and it was said that the organization should take self-initiation to publish information through public hearing method.
In the discussion the chief guest, Mr. Badiul Alam Majumder said that, though there is a law for publishing private information about the candidates of national election and local government election, the law for publishing the private information of the Union Council election candidates was rejected. However, though Union Council the accepted workshops for grassroots people is established. Therefore, it is important to have law for publishing the private information about the Union Council election candidates.
The country director of Article 19 Tahmina Rahman said, there are two ways for establishing Information Right Law. One is supply side and another is demand side, and both of these have to be developed. Public’s demand side will be fulfilled if the organization comes forward to take self-initiation for publishing information through social audit manual and public hearing.
The general secretary of Bangladesh Human Rights Journalist forum Mr. Khayruzzaman said that the role of the civil society in the establishment of Information Right Law is crucial. Through building civil society watch dog we can take part on establishing Public Information Right.
The member secretary of Campaign for Citizens Rights to Information (CCRTI) Mr. Zakir Hossain said that the organizations working for citizen rights should come forward to take self-initiation for publishing information. Public have the right take account of the agreed development activities undertaken for them. The information should be given to the public. The NGO’s must come forward in this matter to set an example.
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A Hundreds of workers demanded their national recognition and professional security on the Informal sector’s workers national Conference
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A Two days national conference was held on 02-03 October, 2009 on demanding their national recognition and professional security. Partnership of Woman in Action and Nagorik Uddyog combined arranged this programme. About 500 female workers took part in this conference. The Conference was opened by Prof. Khan Sarower Murshed,Chairman of Nagorik Uddyog at Dhanmondi Robindra Sorobor. Besides this, there were 8 parallel sessions including 28 articles, open discussion, Rally, photography exhibition on their life style, presentation of PaWA’s activities and Cultural programme.
Opener of the Conference Khan Sarower Murshid said, these women workers are working not only with their industry but also sacrificing lives. A State can not go far keeping them aloof. It is a duty of state to establish their Rights.
Convener of this programme, Dr. Farzana Islam raised the importance and significant of this conference in order to establish workers Rights. Labour Leader Dr. Wajedul Islam.Roy Ramesh Chandra, Rekha Choudhury, Sayed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Prof.Helaluddin Arefin, Adv. Sultana Akther Rubi, Bethan Cobley from One World Action, Maria Corolina, Christy Milward , Dr, Aly Ersalyn a senior fellow of PILAR in Pakistan, Rukmeni Debi from SEWA in India and other guests made their speech on the occasion. Chief Executive of Nagorik Uddyog, Zakir Hossain hosted the opening session.
Md. Israfil Alam, president of Labour and Employment Ministry Affairs Standing Committee was the chief guest on the closing session. On his speech, he said, Labour Act -2006 should be modified to strengthen Informal sector’s Women workers Rights.
Economist Prof. Mozaffar Ahmed said, Informal sector’s woman workers are being organised day by day. They are bringing a positive change in our national economy. He urged to Government to take necessary steps to develop their skills, ensure Education, Health, Accommodation and Employment opportunity.
An Urban planner, Prof. Nazrul Islam said, Informal sector’s workers are the undividable part of Urban. In Urban Planning their profession, Accommodation, Health, Security and Entertainment facility should be considered.
President of Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, Sohidullah Choudhury said, to strengthen this movement, it is necessary to organise united Labour Organization.
Prof. Kazi Modina said, due to Climate change, a lots of people from village are coming in Dhaka city and engaging in this informal sector. So, to develop any type of principles they should be engaged. Prof. Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder emphasised on making small professional co-operative society and organisation.
Rukmani Debi from SEWA focused their successful activities on this sector. Eight parallel sessions are: ‘Informal Labour sector, its types and contribution on economics’, ‘Informal sector: Law and Principles’, `Organization,co-operation and Informal sector workers: Experience of India and Bangladesh’, ‘Informal sector in Urban Planning and their accommodation’, ‘ Climate Change, Natural disaster : Flow of Workers in Informal Sector’, ‘ Domestic helper appointment, Social security and principles’ , ‘ Hygienic Environment of work: Cleaner, construction workers and Hotel Workers’ , and ‘Globalization and Informal sector: Problem and Possibility’. Besides this, Adv. Z.I Khan Panna, workers leader Abul Hossain , Sarder Ruhin hossain Prince,Cultural Personal Mahmud Salim and some other respected attendants made their speech on the occasion.
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Root level people should be strengthened by successful implementing of Right to Information Act.
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Information is the basement of Constitution. Information is the weapon of strength. ‘Root level people should be strengthened by successful implementing of RTI Act.’ Chief Information Commissioner M. Azizur Rahman said this on 6th October `09 in “Our Rights Our Information” titled book launching programme at National Press club conference Lounge. He said, its importance should be raise not only in town base but also in village to village people. To meet up this purpose NGOs, Civil Society and Journalists have to work together. A book titled “Our Rights Our Information” published in English by CHRI, has been translated in bangle combined CHRI and Nagorik Uddyog. This programme was organized to launch the very book.
M.Azizur Rahman, the Chief Information Commissioner was the Chief Guest when Professor Khan Sarower Murshid was the chair. Other guests Information Commissioner Dr.Sadeka Halim,Chief Information officer of PID,Shamim Ahmed Chowdury, Renowned Journalist Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul and Sohini Paul from CHRI,India were the guests when Zakir Hossain, Chief of Nagorik Uddyog was hosting the programme.
After the book launching, Professor Khan Sarower Murshid said, people should be encouraged to know and make them aware. This society has to be reformed as a civilized human society. To touch this goal, it is burning question to use the Law. The Subjects are the owner of this Law and to establish Democracy RTI Law Implementation is very important. He hopes that the book will be helpful to implement the Law.
Information Commissioner Dr. Sadeka Halim said, Information Commission is working in every District. We hope, NGO’s will work in root level to make them aware by implementing this Law. A lot of people from different countries are getting benefit by using the Law. We will also be benefited.
Chief Information Officer AKM. Shamim Chowdhury said, RTI is a new Law in Bangladesh. It will take time to implement the Law. Everybody have to work together to implement the Law.
Journalist Munjurul Ahsan said, Right to Information is a mark bone of civilization in a Country. By passing the Law Bangladesh has become a member of civilized countries. This book is an informative book published by Nagorik Uddyog. To Implement the Law, this book will help the Information Commission as a guide book.
Sohini Paul of CHRI said, to implement the Law various Experiences from different countries have been enclosed in this book. We will be proud and our labor will be succeeded if the book helps to implement the Law in Bangladesh. To Implement the Law CHRI will continue their helping hand.
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