Take steps to ratify Cedaw fully

Reluctance to ratify the convention in full is tantamount to disregard for the constitution, they said at a discussion Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organised to mark the Cedaw Day (September 3) in the city.

They also demanded elimination of discrimination against women in the citizenship law.

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"The women and children affairs minister at the 31st session of the UN committee on Cedaw pledged that she would take steps to withdraw reservation about articles 2 and 16/1 (C) of the Cedaw, but we don't know of any development in this regard," said Hamida Hossain of Ain O Salish Kendra.

Poor performance of the government delegation on the UN review of Cedaw implementation status on July 9 tarnished the country's image, said Aeysha Khanam of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.

Still the government is not doing enough to ensure women's equal rights to citizenship, inheritance, marriage and guardianship of children, she added.

That the policymakers and top officials themselves do not have oneness with the very spirit of the convention is a major obstacle to its full ratification, said Salma Khan, a member of UN committee on Cedaw.

"The Cedaw is not only a convention but an instrument for a comprehensive development," she said.

Justice KM Sobhan and Barrister Tania Amir also spoke at the discussion presided over by Mahila Parishad President Hena Das.