International Women’s Day was observed in Dhaka on Saturday (7 March 2026) with a sit-in and declaration reading in front of the National Parliament Building on Manik Mia Avenue. The program, held from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, was organized by the International Women’s Day Committee under the theme “Thirteenth National Parliament Election: Women’s Representation in Parliament, Reality and Expectation.”
During the program, a declaration outlining demands related to women’s political participation and rights was read by Rehana Samdani of the Women’s Party, Mahmuda Begum of Sabujer Abhiyan Foundation, and Laila Arifa Khanam of Breaking the Silence. The demands were later discussed by Samia Ahmed of Acid Survivors Foundation, Samina Yasmin of Bonhishikha, Tamanna Yasmin Khan of Shakti Foundation, and Kamrun Nahar of the Women’s Party, while participants raised slogans on related issues.
Banners of the organizing committee and participating organizations were displayed at the sit-in. Around 300 people attended the program, including representatives of 61 organizations, as well as participants from different professions, age groups, genders, and social backgrounds, including members of cultural and development organizations and persons with disabilities.
At the conclusion of the program, Tamanna Khan, coordinator of the International Women’s Day Committee and a member of the Women’s Party, delivered closing remarks. She said that despite decades of women’s rights movements, violence and oppression against women continue, and called for greater political representation and broader efforts to ensure women’s rights and safety.
Organizers said similar programs were held in around 50 districts across the country through the Durbar Network and associated organizations under the same theme.
Source: Naripokkho Facebook Page
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