2024-03-04 18:18:17
Eminent people have called for ensuring equal rights of women in inheritance to eliminate oppression and discrimination against women. They said that economic, social and political empowerment of women is hindered due to lack of equal rights in inheritance. Women’s equal right to inheritance is not only today’s demand, but rooted in the spirit of the Liberation War. So quick action should be taken in this regard.
They said these things at the round table meeting titled ‘We want equal rights of women in inheritance to eliminate inequality’ organized by Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangh (BNPS) at Sirdap Auditorium in the capital on Sunday (March 3).
BNPS Executive Director Rokeya participated in the discussion under the chairmanship of Kabir- Former Chairman of Human Rights Commission Professor Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Law Commission Legislative Draftsman Abeda Sultana, Supreme Court Lawyer Barrister Sabrina Zarin, Women’s Council Chairperson Dr. Fauzia Moslem, Professor of Law Department of Jagannath University. SM Masum Billah, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Tanya Amir and BNPS Director Shahnaz Sumi.
Dr. in the meeting. Mizanur Rahman said, women are deprived of rights in many ways. Why are so many women landless? One needs to think about whether just changing or amending the law will be enough. With the change in the law, how will legal assistance be given, how will the participation and role of men in social movements, how to increase the involvement of men need to be thought about more.
Barrister Sabrina Zarin said, patriarchal mentality is responsible for not changing the discriminatory inheritance law despite being in conflict with the constitution. And the discrimination and torture of women and girls is directly related to the fact that women do not have equal rights in family property.
Dr. SM Masum Billah said that women also contributed equally in the great liberation war. So why women’s rights will not be equal? Even after 53 years of independence, the law of 1937 is in force in the country. Therefore, it is very important to change the laws that violate the fundamental rights, including the inheritance law.
Dr. Fauzia Moslem said that all laws are being made and implemented in the light of the constitution. Not only is this law being amended. He urged to pave the way to stop discrimination and torture against women by making and implementing uniform and universal family law immediately.
Barrister Tania Ameer said the family law has been framed according to religious precepts. It is still functional. Which has become a source of discrimination and torture for women. But the constitution is the supreme law. Where equal rights are recognized for all citizens irrespective of caste, caste, religion. Therefore, it is the duty of the state to enact a universal family law as soon as possible.
In the president’s speech, brave freedom fighter Rokeya Kabir said that the constitution has given equal rights to men and women at all levels of state and public life. But, still the country’s women are subjected to massive discrimination and torture. Lack of equal right to inheritance is the cornerstone of existing discrimination against women. Which is the root cause of various ongoing symptoms including child marriage and women abuse in the society. To deal with this crisis, the economic status of women should be strengthened, and equal rights of women should be established in all assets and property, including inheritance.